US Paycheck Calculator
What stays from your US salary? Calculate your 2026 take-home pay from your annual gross — with federal income tax, FICA (Social Security + Medicare) and your optional state tax rate, per year, month and paycheck.
Key facts
- Example Single, $60,000 (2026): after the $16,100 standard deduction $43,900 is taxable → federal income tax $5,020. Plus FICA $4,590 (Social Security $3,720 + Medicare $870) → about $9,610 in taxes, take-home ≈ $50,390 (~16.0% effective).
- FICA 2026: Social Security 6.2% only up to the $184,500 wage base (max $11,439), 0% above it. Medicare 1.45% with no cap, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare on wages over $200,000 (Single) or $250,000 (Married Filing Jointly).
- The calculator computes the federal level exactly; you enter your state tax rate yourself (as an effective rate on gross). Nine states (e.g. Texas, Florida, Washington) levy no income tax — enter 0% then; others add up to about 13% on top. The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 (Single) or $32,200 (Married Filing Jointly).
FAQ
- How is take-home pay calculated?
- From the annual gross, federal income tax is subtracted (progressive 2026 brackets on taxable income = gross minus the standard deduction) plus FICA (Social Security + Medicare). The result is the annual net; divided by 12 it gives the monthly figure, by 26 the bi-weekly paycheck.
- What is FICA?
- FICA is the US payroll tax: Social Security (6.2% on wages up to the $184,500 wage base for 2026) and Medicare (1.45% with no cap, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare on wages over $200,000 Single or $250,000 Married Filing Jointly). The employer matches Social Security and the base Medicare rate.
- Does this include state taxes?
- Optionally yes: enter your effective state tax rate (%) and the calculator subtracts it from your take-home on top. Nine states have no income tax (enter 0%), others up to about 13%. It is an approximation on gross income, not an exact state bracket calculation; local taxes are not included.