Paycheck Calculator 2026
Calculate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and pre-tax deductions. Free paycheck calculation for all 50 states.
Federal tax brackets
Taxable income: $58,900
Where your paycheck goes
Average costs in this state vs your $4,830/mo take-home
Average local costs exceed take-home. Roommates, cheaper housing, or trimming spending would help close the gap.
Based on avg local costs (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey + MERIC 2025).
This is an estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. It does not account for local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances. Consult a tax professional for advice.
How it works
Example breakdown for a $75k salary, single filer in California.
This calculator estimates your net take-home pay by subtracting federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare from your gross salary. It uses 2026 tax brackets, standard deductions, and FICA rates.
Federal income tax is calculated using progressive brackets after subtracting the standard deduction and pre-tax contributions. The standard deduction for 2026 is $16,100 (single), $32,200 (married filing jointly), or $24,150 (head of household).
State income tax varies by state. Nine states have no income tax, 14 use a flat rate, and 28 (including DC) use progressive brackets. For married filers, bracket thresholds are doubled as a simplified estimate.
Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions reduce federal and state taxable income but not FICA wages. Health insurance premiums under Section 125 reduce all taxes including FICA.
2026 federal income tax brackets
How $100k flows through 3 progressive brackets. Effective rate is always lower than marginal.
| Rate | Single | Married | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0– $12,400 | $0– $24,800 | $0– $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,400– $50,400 | $24,800– $100,800 | $17,700– $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,400– $105,700 | $100,800– $211,400 | $67,450– $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700– $201,775 | $211,400– $403,550 | $105,700– $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,775– $256,225 | $403,550– $512,450 | $201,750– $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,225– $640,600 | $512,450– $768,700 | $256,200– $640,600 |
| 37% | $640,600– + | $768,700– + | $640,600– + |
FICA taxes explained
Social Security and Medicare tax zones by salary. SS stops at $184.5k; Medicare adds 0.9% above $200k.
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) funds Social Security and Medicare. Both employee and employer pay matching amounts.
- Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $184,500 (2026). Earnings above this cap are exempt. Your employer also pays 6.2%.
- Medicare: 1.45% on all wages with no cap. An additional 0.9% applies to wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). The additional tax is employee-only — your employer doesn't match it.
Self-employed individuals pay both halves (12.4% SS + 2.9% Medicare = 15.3%) through self-employment tax. This calculator shows the employee portion only.
Pre-tax deductions
$75k salary in CA — tax savings from a $10k traditional 401(k) contribution.
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, lowering your tax bill. Common pre-tax deductions include:
- Traditional 401(k): Contributions reduce federal and state taxable income. The 2026 limit is $23,500 ($31,000 if age 50+). 401(k) contributions do not reduce FICA wages.
- Health insurance (Section 125): Employer cafeteria plan premiums are deducted before all taxes, including FICA. This makes them more tax-efficient than 401(k) contributions.
- HSA: Health Savings Account contributions (if eligible) are pre-tax for both income tax and FICA. The 2026 limit is $4,300 (individual) or $8,550 (family).
State income tax overview
Effective state tax rates at $75k for 6 representative states.
No income tax (9 states)
Alaska , Florida , Nevada , New Hampshire , South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas , Washington , Wyoming
Flat tax (14 states)
Arizona ( 2.50 %) , Colorado ( 4.40 %) , Georgia ( 5.09 %) , Idaho ( 5.70 %) , Illinois ( 4.95 %) , Indiana ( 2.95 %) , Iowa ( 3.80 %) , Kentucky ( 3.50 %) , Louisiana ( 3 %) , Michigan ( 4.25 %) , Mississippi ( 4 %) , North Carolina ( 3.99 %) , Pennsylvania ( 3.07 %) , Utah ( 4.55 %)
Progressive tax (28 states + DC)
Alabama , Arkansas , California , Connecticut , Delaware , District of Columbia , Hawaii , Kansas , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Minnesota , Missouri , Montana , Nebraska , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , North Dakota , Ohio , Oklahoma , Oregon , Rhode Island , South Carolina , Vermont , Virginia , West Virginia , Wisconsin
FAQ
How much of my paycheck goes to taxes?
It depends on your salary, filing status, and state. A typical single filer earning $75,000 pays roughly 22–30% in total taxes (federal + state + FICA). Use the calculator above to see your specific breakdown.
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of income. Your effective rate is your total tax divided by total income. Because of progressive brackets, your effective rate is always lower. For example, earning $100,000 as a single filer puts you in the 22% bracket, but your effective federal rate is about 14.3%.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no state income tax on wages.
Does my 401(k) reduce FICA taxes?
No. Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce federal and state income tax but not FICA (Social Security + Medicare). Health insurance under Section 125, however, reduces all taxes including FICA.
What is the Social Security wage cap?
For 2026, Social Security tax (6.2%) applies to the first $184,500 of wages. Earnings above this are exempt from SS tax. Medicare has no cap.
When does the Additional Medicare Tax apply?
An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to wages above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married filing jointly. This is on top of the standard 1.45%.
How does health insurance affect my taxes?
Employer health insurance premiums deducted under Section 125 are pre-tax for federal, state, and FICA purposes. This saves more than a post-tax deduction.
How accurate is this calculator?
This provides a reasonable estimate using 2026 rates and standard deductions. It does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, AMT, or state-specific exemptions. For tax planning, consult a tax professional.
Compare states
See how take-home pay differs between states with our side-by-side comparison tool.
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