US Paycheck Calculator 2026
What actually lands in your bank account, after federal tax, FICA, 401(k) and state tax.
Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, FICA, 401(k) contributions and state tax, based on recent published IRS figures. Your exact pay depends on your situation.
2026 federal income tax brackets
These are the published rates for income earned in 2026 (on returns filed in 2027). They apply to taxable income — your pay after pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction. Figures can change, so check the latest IRS guidance for your own situation.
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 | $0 – $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 | $24,801 – $100,800 | $17,701 – $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 | $100,801 – $211,400 | $67,451 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 | $211,401 – $403,550 | $105,701 – $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,776 – $256,225 | $403,551 – $512,450 | $201,751 – $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,226 – $640,600 | $512,451 – $768,700 | $256,201 – $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 |
2026 standard deduction: $16,100 (single), $32,200 (married filing jointly), $24,150 (head of household).
What comes out of a US paycheck
- Federal income tax: worked out on the brackets above. Because the US uses marginal rates, only the income inside each band is taxed at that band's rate.
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
- State and local tax: this varies widely. Nine states have no wage income tax, while others charge up to about 13%. Enter your approximate effective rate.
- 401(k): traditional 401(k) contributions come out before federal and state income tax, but Social Security and Medicare are still charged on them.
Example
Take a single filer on $75,000, putting 5% into a 401(k) and paying about 4% state tax: take-home comes to roughly $4,650 a month, $2,150 every two weeks, or about $55,800 a year.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my real paycheck different?
Your employer withholds tax based on your W-4, and may also deduct health insurance, HSA or other pre-tax benefits. This calculator estimates your yearly tax bill, and withholding is rarely exact. Any difference is settled when you file your return.
Does this include tax credits?
No. Credits such as the Child Tax Credit reduce your final tax bill. If you qualify for them, your real take-home pay may be higher.
Does it support itemized deductions?
No. It assumes the standard deduction, which most filers take.
Estimates only, based on 2026 IRS figures. This is not tax advice. Check IRS.gov or consult a tax professional for your situation.