US take-home pay calculator 2026 (after taxes)
See what actually lands in your account after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax, using the IRS 2026 figures.
How we calculate
- We subtract the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) and your 401(k) contribution.
- We apply the 2026 progressive federal brackets (10% to 37%) to the rest.
- We add Social Security at 6.2% up to $184,500 and Medicare at 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000.
- We apply your state and city rate to income after retirement contributions as an estimate.
Why your paystub may differ
- Actual withholding depends on your W-4 and credits such as the Child Tax Credit.
- Other pre-tax deductions we don't include: employer health premiums, HSA and FSA.
- States with brackets are more complex than one rate; this is an estimate.
For the full picture read our US tax guide and state income tax by state.
Extra questions about the paycheck calculator
After calculating your take-home pay with the tool, practical questions remain for many newly arrived Arabs reading their first US pay stub. This section answers what the calculator itself doesn't cover with direct numbers.
Why is my net pay so much lower than the number in my job offer?
The number in your offer letter is usually your gross annual salary before any deductions. From that figure, federal income tax, state income tax (where it applies), Social Security and Medicare taxes (together called FICA), and sometimes health insurance premiums and retirement contributions are deducted if you enrolled in them directly from your paycheck. The gap between the two numbers is completely normal, not an error on your pay stub.
What's the W-4 and how does filling it out affect my paycheck?
The W-4 form is what you complete when you start a job to tell your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck. The more dependents you claim on the form, the smaller your monthly withholding — but that can mean you owe money when you file your annual tax return if you underestimated. This calculator estimates based on general assumptions; the actual form you submit to your employer is what determines your real withholding.
Why does withholding differ between two states with the same gross salary?
Some states (like Texas and Florida) impose no state income tax at all, while others (like New York and California) have progressive income tax that can reach relatively high rates. That means the exact same gross salary can produce a noticeably different net amount depending on which state you work in — an important factor when comparing job offers in different states.
What is FICA withholding and why can't it be avoided?
FICA covers two mandatory taxes for every salaried employee: Social Security (funds future retirement benefits) and Medicare (funds health coverage for seniors). This withholding is mandatory for anyone working under a W-2 salary arrangement regardless of your immigration status, as long as you're working with valid work authorization, and it's entirely separate from income tax, which is calculated independently.
Tip: Review your first real pay stub carefully and compare it to the calculator's estimate — if the gap is very large, review the W-4 you submitted to your employer, since it may need adjusting.
Is 1099 (independent contractor) work calculated the same way as a W-2 salary?
No; an independent contractor (1099) doesn't have taxes withheld directly from each payment, but is responsible for paying "self-employment tax," which covers both the employer's and employee's share of Social Security and Medicare combined, usually paid quarterly in advance. This calculator is built for regular W-2 salaried employees; if you work under a 1099 arrangement, your tax obligations are fundamentally different.
What to do if your withholding looks wrong
If you notice withholding on your actual pay stub that seems illogical (unusually large or small), contact your employer's HR or payroll department directly to review your W-4 on file — it's a more accurate reference for your specific situation than any general estimator.
This calculator is an estimate for personal planning only, not a tax filing or accounting advice; the actual figure on your employer's pay stub is the accurate reference.
See also our full US taxes guide and W-2 vs. 1099 differences when filing your first tax return.
