US
Free Paycheck & Take-Home Pay Calculator (2026)
Calculate Take-Home Pay
Tax Year 2026- Gross Pay $2,884.62
- Federal Income Tax $295.00
- FICA (Social Security & Medicare) $220.68
- State & Local Withholding $161.36
- Total Estimated Deductions $677.04
Important note on the paycheck calculator: The calculator on this page is provided through Codexa Tools and is designed to provide general guidance and estimates based on official 2026 IRS Publication 15-T and state revenue withholding guidelines. It should not be relied upon to calculate exact taxes, payroll, or legal financial obligations. These calculators are not intended to provide tax, legal, or accounting advice and do not represent a substitute for certified payroll processing. You should refer to a professional advisor, CPA, or licensed accountant regarding any specific requirements, local tax ordinances, or financial concerns.
How Your Take-Home Pay Is Calculated in 2026
Your net take-home pay is the exact amount deposited into your checking account after all statutory payroll deductions are withheld. Under United States tax code, calculating your paycheck involves three primary tiers of taxation:
- Federal Income Tax Withholding: Computed using progressive brackets ranging from 10% to 37% after accounting for the IRS standard deduction ($15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married couples in 2026).
- FICA Taxes: Mandatory contributions comprising Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $176,100) and Medicare (1.45% on all earnings, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare on wages exceeding $200,000).
- State & Local Income Tax: Depending on where you live and work, state withholding can range from 0% (in Texas, Florida, and Washington) to over 12% in progressive states like California and New York.
Using our calculator above, you can test different salary levels, hourly overtime scenarios, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and HSA contributions in real-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your US paycheck is calculated by taking your gross pay and subtracting federal income tax withholding, FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare), state and local income taxes, and optional pre-tax contributions such as a 401(k) or HSA.
Bi-weekly pay occurs every two weeks, totaling 26 paychecks per year (two months have three paychecks). Semi-monthly pay occurs twice per month (typically the 15th and last day), totaling exactly 24 paychecks per year.
Nine states have no state income tax on earned wages: Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, and New Hampshire.
State Paycheck Calculators
State tax rules significantly impact your net earnings. Explore state-specific tax calculators:
Overtime & Hourly Tools
Targeted calculators for blue-collar, tipped, and hourly wage workers:
Browse All 50 US State Paycheck Calculators
Accurate 2026 state withholding rates, standard deductions, and overtime rules for every US state.