Finance Pay and tax

Paycheck calculator

Last reviewed 23 Aug 2026 ·Method: 2026 IRS tables, standard deduction, FICA at statutory rates

Annual salary

Paid

Filing status

Pre-tax % 401(k), health premiums

State tax % Flat estimate — 0 in nine states

Take-home per pay $2,486.52

Kept 76% Tax $15,251

Federal income tax$8,748

Social Security$5,270

Medicare$1,233

State income tax$0

Pre-tax deductions$5,100

Taxable income$63,800

Net for the year$64,650

Effective rate17.9%

Marginal rate22%

Live · 2026 federal tables, FICA included

Federal brackets 2026 · Single

10% $0 – $12,400

12% $12,400 – $50,400

22% $50,400 – $105,700

24% $105,700 – $201,775

32% $201,775 – $256,225

35% $256,225 – $640,600

37% $640,600 – and up

An estimate using the 2026 federal tables, the standard deduction and a flat state rate. It does not model state brackets, local tax, credits, dependants or a W-4 with extra withholding, so a real payslip will differ.

Take-home pay is gross pay less pre-tax deductions, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, and any state tax. Federal tax is charged in bands on income above the standard deduction, which for 2026 is $16,100 single and $32,200 filing jointly. Social Security takes 6.2% up to $184,500 of wages; Medicare takes 1.45% of everything.

How to use this calculator

1 Enter your annual salary and how often you are paid.

2 Pick your filing status and add the percentage going into pre-tax deductions such as a 401(k).

3 Add a flat state rate if your state has income tax — nine states do not.

Notice the difference between the effective rate and the marginal rate. The marginal rate is what the next dollar is taxed at and it is the number people quote; the effective rate is what you actually pay across the whole salary, and it is always lower because the early bands are taxed at 10% and 12%. On $85,000 single the marginal rate is 22% and the effective rate, FICA included, is around 24%.

Questions

Why is my real payslip different? −

Employers withhold using the W-4 you filed, which can carry extra withholding, dependants or a second-job adjustment. This calculator applies the standard deduction and nothing else.

Do pre-tax deductions reduce Social Security too? +

What happens above the Social Security wage base? +

Which states have no income tax? +

Where do the brackets come from? +

Sources

IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — inflation adjustments for 2026 Social Security Administration — 2026 contribution and benefit base IRS — topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates

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