Personal Finance
Paycheck Calculator
Gross pay is a promise; net pay is the reality. See what actually lands in your account per period.
Net pay (take-home) is gross pay minus federal, state, and FICA taxes and deductions such as health insurance and 401(k). In the U.S., FICA is 7.65% of wages; federal income tax is progressive by bracket. Figures are estimates before taxes and fees — verify details with a licensed advisor where needed.
FICA: 7.65% (Social Security + Medicare).
Federal tax: progressive brackets.
Net ≈ 70–80% of gross for most.
Calculate Your Paycheck
Annual Net Pay
What Is Paycheck?
Gross pay is what employers quote; net pay is what lands in your account. The difference: federal income tax, FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%), state tax, and benefit deductions.
This calculator applies the standard deduction and progressive federal brackets for a single filer, a close estimate for planning, refined by the IRS W-4 tool for withholding.
How It Is Calculated
Net = gross − federal (brackets) − FICA (7.65%) − state − deductions
Example: Example: $70,000 gross, 4% state, $3,500 deductions → ≈ $52,900 net (≈ 76%)
2026 single-filer federal brackets (approx.)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0–$11,925 | 10% |
| $11,925–$48,475 | 12% |
| $48,475–$103,350 | 22% |
| $103,350–$197,300 | 24% |
Limitations
- Filing status and credits change the result materially.
- Social Security tax caps at the wage base (~$176k); Medicare adds 0.9% above $200k.
- Local/city taxes and pre-tax deductions shift the figure.
Sources & Review
References used for this calculator’s formulas and thresholds:
Paycheck FAQ
What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes?
A typical US employee nets 70–80%. FICA 7.65%, federal 10–22% marginal, plus state.
What is FICA?
Social Security (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%), 7.65% total on wages, matched by your employer.
How do I get a bigger paycheck?
Pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, insurance) lower taxable income, a dollar deferred often costs only ~70–80 cents of take-home.
Why is my refund so big/small?
Withholding, not tax owed. Use the IRS W-4 estimator to tune it to near-zero.
Important disclaimer: Results are educational estimates, not a substitute for professional advice. Review your numbers with a qualified advisor before acting on them.