Paycheck Calculator
Estimate take-home pay after federal tax, Social Security and Medicare deductions.
How to Use the Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax and FICA deductions. Enter your gross salary and filing status to see your net pay breakdown.
- Enter your gross salary — your total pay before deductions. Toggle between annual and monthly using the buttons.
- Select your filing status — choose Single or Married Filing Jointly. This determines your tax brackets and standard deduction.
- Review results — see your monthly and annual net pay, plus a detailed table showing federal tax, Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) deductions.
The calculator uses 2024 US federal tax brackets with the standard deduction. It estimates federal income tax and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) employee contributions. State and local taxes are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FICA tax?
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It includes Social Security tax (6.2% on wages up to $168,600 in 2024) and Medicare tax (1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers).
Why is my actual paycheck different from this estimate?
This calculator estimates federal tax and FICA only. Your actual paycheck may also deduct state/local taxes, health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, HSA contributions and other benefits. These are not included here.
What is the Social Security wage base?
For 2024, Social Security tax (6.2%) applies only to the first $168,600 of earnings. Income above this threshold is not subject to Social Security tax, though Medicare tax still applies to all earnings.
Does this account for pre-tax deductions?
No. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums and FSA/HSA contributions reduce your taxable income. Subtract those from your gross salary before entering it for a more accurate estimate.
What about state income tax?
State taxes are not included. Seven states (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming) have no state income tax. Other states range from about 1% to 13.3%. Check your state tax authority for exact rates.
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