Take-Home Paycheck Calculator
Paycheck Details
Results
| Gross Income | — |
|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | — |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | — |
| State & Local Tax | — |
| Net Pay (Annual) | — |
| Net Pay (Per Period) | — |
How to Use This Take-Home Paycheck Calculator
The salary on your offer letter and the number that hits your bank account live in different zip codes. Between federal withholding, FICA, state tax, and the 401(k) you opted into, take-home pay is the figure that actually pays rent. Enter your gross salary and deductions here to see annual and per-period net pay before your next W-4 tweak.
- Enter gross salary and pay frequency. Weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, or annual.
- Set filing status and dependents. Single, MFJ, MFS, or Head of Household; children under 17 and other dependents affect credits.
- Add other income and deductions. Pretax payroll deductions (401(k), health), non-withheld deductions (IRA), and itemized amounts if applicable.
- Enter state and city tax rates. Flat percentage estimates applied to taxable income after standard or itemized deductions.
- Toggle self-employed if applicable. Changes FICA handling for independent contractor scenarios.
- Press Calculate. Review federal tax, FICA, state/local tax, and net pay annually and per pay period.
For a full-year refund estimate, use the Income Tax Calculator. To convert gross pay across frequencies, try the Salary Calculator.
Take-Home Pay Formulas and Practical Applications
Net pay is gross income minus every slice the government and your benefits take before cash reaches you—like a pie where the server cuts tax wedges first and you keep what is left on the plate.
Taxable wages
Taxable Wages = Gross + Other Income − Pretax Deductions − Standard/Itemized Deduction
Major withholding components
Federal Tax = Progressive brackets on taxable wages − Credits
FICA = Social Security (6.2% up to wage base) + Medicare (1.45% + surtax if applicable)
Net Pay = Gross − Federal − FICA − State − Local − Pretax Deductions
On $75,000 gross, MFJ, standard deduction, and 5% state tax, federal and FICA often consume roughly 20–25% combined before state—leaving mid-$50,000s net annually depending on dependents and pretax deferrals. Your results table shows exact breakdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What taxes are deducted from my paycheck?
This calculator estimates federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and flat state and local income taxes from gross salary.
What is FICA on a paycheck?
FICA includes Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to the annual wage base and Medicare at 1.45%, with an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on high earners when applicable.
How does pay frequency affect take-home pay?
Annual tax liability stays the same, but each check divides net pay by the number of pay periods—26 for bi-weekly, 24 for semi-monthly, 12 for monthly.
Do pretax 401(k) contributions reduce take-home pay?
Yes. Pretax deductions withheld from payroll reduce taxable wages, lowering federal and usually state income tax withholding while also reducing net cash per check.
Why does my actual paycheck differ from this estimate?
Employer W-4 settings, bonus withholding, local taxes, benefits premiums, and garnishments can differ. This tool provides a planning estimate, not a payroll system replica.