US Paycheck Calculator (Federal Take-Home Pay)
Work out your US take-home pay for 2026 after federal income tax and FICA.
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How to use the Paycheck Calculator
- 01
Enter your gross annual salary in USD.
- 02
Choose your filing status: Single, Married filing jointly, or Head of household.
- 03
See your take-home per month, per year, and per biweekly paycheck instantly, with federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare broken out.
How the calculator works
This calculator turns a gross salary into your take-home pay per month, per year, and per biweekly paycheck. It applies the 2026 federal income tax brackets, the standard deduction, and FICA.
Everything runs in your browser and no data is sent to any server.
The FICA and filing-status breakdown
Unlike basic calculators, it shows a clear FICA breakdown: Social Security to the wage base and Medicare including the Additional Medicare Tax above 200,000 USD. A filing-status toggle covers Single, Married filing jointly, and Head of household.
Reading your result
The result breaks out federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, your total federal tax, and your effective and marginal rates, so you can see how the net figure is built.
Federal only, state not included
This is federal only: state and local income tax are not included and vary by state. Add those separately if they apply where you live.
Estimate, not tax advice
This is an estimate and not tax advice. Your exact paycheck can differ from the official figures, so treat the result as a guide rather than a final number.
Frequently asked questions
How is US take-home pay calculated for 2026?
Your gross salary is reduced by federal income tax and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). Federal income tax applies the standard deduction (16,100 USD single, 32,200 USD married filing jointly, 24,150 USD head of household), then the 2026 brackets from 10% to 37% on the rest. FICA is 6.2% Social Security up to the 184,500 USD wage base plus 1.45% Medicare on all wages. What is left is your take-home pay. State and local income tax are not included.
Does this include state income tax?
No. This is a federal-only estimate. State and local income tax vary widely, and several states (such as Texas, Florida, and Washington) have no state income tax at all. To get your full net pay, subtract any state and local tax that applies where you live.
What is FICA, and what is the Additional Medicare Tax?
FICA is the payroll tax for Social Security and Medicare. Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to the 2026 wage base of 184,500 USD. Medicare is 1.45% on all wages, plus an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% on wages above 200,000 USD. The calculator applies all three.
What does the standard deduction do?
The standard deduction lowers the income that federal income tax is charged on. For 2026 it is 16,100 USD for single filers, 32,200 USD for married filing jointly, and 24,150 USD for head of household. Your taxable income is your gross salary minus the standard deduction, and the brackets apply to that figure. FICA is charged on gross wages, not on taxable income.
Does this give my exact paycheck?
No, it is an estimate. It assumes a single W-2 job, the standard deduction, and no pre-tax deductions such as 401k contributions or health premiums, and no tax credits or other income. It also excludes state and local tax. Your real paycheck may differ. Not tax advice.
Sources
This tool is for general information only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates that depend on your situation and current rules, so check the official source or a qualified professional before you act.
Learn more
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