The gap between a salary offer and the money that hits your account surprises almost everyone the first time. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), state and sometimes local taxes, plus pre-tax deductions like a 401(k) or health premiums, all come out before you see a dollar. This paycheck calculator reconstructs that journey: enter your gross pay, pay frequency, filing status and deductions, and it estimates federal withholding, FICA and take-home pay per paycheck and per year. It is built for planning — comparing job offers, budgeting on a biweekly schedule, or seeing what a raise is really worth after taxes.
What comes out of a paycheck
- Federal income tax — withheld using IRS tables based on your filing status and W-4; progressive brackets from 10% to 37%.
- FICA — Social Security 6.2% (up to the annual wage cap) plus Medicare 1.45%, with an extra 0.9% Medicare on high earners.
- State and local tax — varies widely; nine states have no income tax at all.
- Pre-tax deductions — 401(k), HSA and health premiums reduce taxable income before withholding is figured.
Example
$75,000 salary, paid biweekly, single filer, no state tax. Gross per paycheck is about $2,885. After roughly $660 federal withholding and $220 FICA, take-home is around $2,005 per paycheck — about 69% of gross.
Pay frequency
Biweekly (26 paychecks) means two months a year bring three paychecks — handy for budgeting. Semi-monthly (24) gives a steady, predictable amount. The calculator handles hourly, weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, monthly and annual inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my paycheck less than my salary divided by 26?
Taxes and deductions. Federal withholding, Social Security, Medicare and state tax come out first, plus any 401(k), HSA or insurance premiums. Take-home is typically 65–80% of gross.
What is FICA?
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax: 6.2% for Social Security (up to the yearly cap) and 1.45% for Medicare, matched by your employer. Self-employed people pay both halves as self-employment tax.
Are bonuses taxed differently?
Yes — supplemental wages like bonuses are usually withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, which may be more or less than your normal bracket. The difference settles when you file.
How accurate is this estimate?
It is a planning estimate using standard withholding tables. Your actual withholding depends on your W-4, and state rules vary. Treat the result as close, not exact.