Paycheck Calculator (US)

It uses the official 2026 IRS figures: federal tax brackets and standard deduction from Rev. Proc. 2025-32, the 6.2% Social Security tax up to the $184,500 wage base, and 1.45% Medicare plus the 0.9% additional Medicare tax above $200,000 ($250,000 married). It assumes you take the standard deduction (about 90% of Americans do) and have regular W-2 wages.

Because that money is still yours — it goes into your retirement account, not to the government. 401(k) contributions reduce your federal income tax now, but note they do NOT reduce Social Security/Medicare taxes. Health insurance premiums (Section 125) reduce both — this calculator handles that difference correctly, which many calculators get wrong.

Your marginal rate is the bracket your last dollar falls in (e.g. 22%). Your effective rate is what you actually pay overall — total tax ÷ gross income — which is always lower because the first chunks of income are taxed at 10% and 12%. Being "in the 22% bracket" does not mean you pay 22% on everything.

Nine states have none: Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee, South Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska and New Hampshire. Flat-tax states are easy (Colorado 4.4%, Illinois 4.95%, Michigan 4.25%). For progressive states like California or New York, enter your approximate effective rate (often 4-7% for middle incomes) — search "[your state] effective income tax rate" for a closer figure.

There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year but only 12 months — so biweekly pay = annual ÷ 26, which is slightly less than half of annual ÷ 12. Twice a year you get an "extra" third paycheck in a month.