Paycheck Calculator — Free Net Pay Estimator 2026

💰 Paycheck Calculator — Free Net Pay Estimator 2026

Free Paycheck Calculator — Estimate your net pay after federal & state taxes, FICA, and deductions. Calculate take-home pay for hourly or salary employees. No signup required!

✓ Federal & State Tax ✓ FICA (SS + Medicare) ✓ Pre/Post-Tax Deductions ✓ Pay Frequency ✓ Pie Chart

💵 Gross Pay ($)

Before taxes and deductions

📅 Pay Frequency

📋 Filing Status

🏛️ State Income Tax Rate (%)

For states with flat tax, or average rate. 0% for no state tax.

💼 Pre-tax Deductions ($)

401k, Health Insurance, HSA, etc.

💳 Post-tax Deductions ($)

Roth 401k, wage garnishments, union dues

➕ Additional Withholding ($)

Extra amount to withhold per paycheck

💰 Net Pay (Take-Home)

Gross Pay

Total Taxes

Total Deductions

📊 Tax Breakdown

Federal Income Tax

Social Security

Medicare

State Tax

📊 Where Your Paycheck Goes

📘 Paycheck Guide — Understanding Your Take-Home Pay

🔹 Federal Income Tax

Progressive tax brackets for 2026: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%. Standard deduction: $15,420 (single), $30,840 (married), $23,130 (head). Our calculator applies these.

🔹 FICA Taxes

Social Security: 6.2% up to $176,100 (2026 estimate). Medicare: 1.45% (no cap), plus 0.9% for earnings over $200k (single) / $250k (married).

🔹 State Income Tax

Varies by state. 9 states have no income tax. Our calculator uses a flat rate you can adjust — check your state's rate.

🔹 Pre-Tax Deductions

401k, traditional IRA, health insurance premiums, HSA, FSA. These lower your taxable income, reducing federal and state tax.

🔹 Post-Tax Deductions

Roth 401k, wage garnishments, union dues, charitable contributions. These do not affect taxes.

🔹 Additional Withholding

Use Form W-4 to request extra withholding to avoid owing taxes at filing or to cover side income.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How is federal income tax calculated? +

Federal income tax uses progressive brackets. Our calculator applies the 2026 projected brackets after subtracting standard deduction and pre-tax deductions from annual gross income.

What are FICA taxes? +

Social Security (6.2% up to wage base) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% for high earners). Employers match these amounts. Our calculator deducts the employee portion.

What is the difference between pre-tax and post-tax deductions? +

Pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance) reduce your taxable income, lowering taxes. Post-tax deductions (Roth, garnishments) do not affect taxes.

How accurate is this calculator? +

It uses current tax brackets and standard deduction. For precise withholding, consult your employer or tax professional. This is an excellent planning tool.

What if my state has no income tax? +

Set state tax rate to 0%. States with no income tax: TX, FL, NV, WA, TN, SD, WY, AK, NH.

⭐ Pro tip: Increase pre-tax 401k contributions to lower your taxable income and save for retirement. Use our calculator to see the impact on your net pay.