2026 Salary & Take-Home Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your exact net take-home paycheck. Supports hourly and salaried wages, progressive 2026 IRS federal tax brackets, FICA (Social Security & Medicare), and state tax deductions.
IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40 (2026 Brackets)
Earnings & Filing Assumptions
help Frequently Asked Questions
How is take-home pay calculated from gross salary?
Take-home pay equals your gross income minus Federal Income Tax (calculated via progressive tax brackets), FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare), State Income Tax, and any voluntary pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or health insurance.
What is FICA tax and why is it deducted from my paycheck?
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It is a mandatory federal payroll deduction that funds Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage cap) and Medicare (1.45% on all earnings, plus an additional 0.9% for high earners).
Which US states have no state income tax?
As of 2026, nine US states have no standard state income tax on earned wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total agreed-upon earnings before any taxes or deductions are removed. Net pay (take-home pay) is the actual dollar amount deposited into your bank account on payday.
How does filing status (Single vs Married) affect paycheck withholding?
Filing Married Filing Jointly provides wider federal tax brackets and a larger standard deduction ($30,000 for married couples vs $15,000 for single filers in 2026), which typically lowers the percentage of tax withheld per pay period.