Paycheck Calculator

Your salary and your paycheck are two different numbers, and the gap is what this calculator estimates. From a gross amount, it subtracts federal income tax at the standard single-filer brackets, Social Security and Medicare, a state rate you provide, and any pre-tax deduction such as a retirement contribution, then shows what actually reaches your bank account.

The largest piece is federal income tax, which is progressive: each band of income is taxed at that band's rate, not the whole salary at the top rate. Because the standard deduction is applied first, the effective rate is always lower than the marginal rate. Someone in the 22% bracket does not pay 22% of their income; their effective federal rate is usually closer to 10% or 12%.

FICA is simpler and unavoidable. Social Security takes 6.2% of wages up to an annual cap, and Medicare takes 1.45% with no cap, plus an additional 0.9% above a high threshold. Unlike income tax, these are flat for most earners, which is why they are the deduction people notice most on a moderate salary.

The state figure is an input because the range is enormous: from no income tax at all to more than 10%. This calculator applies your rate as a flat percentage of gross, which is a fair approximation but not exact, since states have their own brackets and deductions. Withholding also does not perfectly match your final liability, so a refund or a bill at tax time is normal. Use the result for budgeting, not for filing.

This paycheck calculator is a simplified educational estimate using 2025 single and joint federal brackets, the standard deduction, and a flat state rate. It is not tax advice and does not cover credits, itemised deductions, local taxes, or every state's rules. Consult a tax professional for your situation.