US Salary After Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate 2026 US take-home pay: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, 401(k), child tax credit and state tax, per year, month and paycheck.
This calculator turns a US salary into take-home pay for the 2026 tax year. It applies the 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, Social Security at 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base, Medicare at 1.45% plus the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax, the $2,200 Child Tax Credit and an optional state rate, then shows your pay per year, month and paycheck.
How to use this tool
- Enter your annual gross salary and filing status.
- Add pre-tax 401(k) or 403(b) deferrals and other pre-tax payroll deductions such as health premiums or HSA contributions.
- Enter the number of children under 17 who qualify for the Child Tax Credit.
- Optionally enter a state income tax rate, then pick how often you are paid.
Formula
Take-home = Salary − 401(k) − pre-tax deductions − federal tax − Social Security − Medicare − state tax
Federal tax is the bracket tax on (salary − 401(k) − pre-tax deductions − standard deduction), minus the Child Tax Credit. Social Security = 6.2% × min(FICA wages, $184,500). Medicare = 1.45% of FICA wages plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint, $125,000 separate). FICA wages exclude cafeteria-plan deductions but still include 401(k) deferrals.
Example
A single filer earning $75,000 with no pre-tax deductions has taxable income of $75,000 − $16,100 = $58,900. Federal tax is $5,800 + 22% × ($58,900 − $50,400) = $7,670. Social Security is $4,650 and Medicare $1,087.50, so take-home pay is $61,592.50 a year, or $2,368.94 per biweekly paycheck before state tax.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my paycheck withholding different?
Employers withhold using the IRS Publication 15-T tables and your Form W-4, which can over- or under-withhold. This tool estimates the tax you actually owe for the year; the gap shows up as a refund or a balance due when you file.
Does a 401(k) contribution lower Social Security and Medicare?
No. Traditional 401(k) and 403(b) deferrals lower federal income tax, but FICA still applies to them. Health premiums and HSA or FSA contributions made through a cafeteria plan lower both.
How should I enter state tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not tax wages, so leave 0. Elsewhere enter an approximate rate; it is applied as a flat percentage of taxable wages, which is only a rough guide for states with graduated brackets or their own deductions.
What does the calculator leave out?
Itemized deductions, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the new deductions for tips, overtime and seniors, local income taxes, and the alternative refundable-credit method for families with three or more children.
Sources
This tool gives an estimate for general information only. It is not financial, tax, legal or medical advice — check with a qualified professional before you rely on the result.
Last updated: 2026