Paycheck Calculator
Net pay after taxes
How to Use the Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your net take-home pay after federal taxes, state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare deductions. Understand where your gross pay goes.
Tax Calculations
We use 2025 federal tax brackets for single and married filing statuses. State taxes are simplified estimates—actual rates may include local taxes, deductions, and credits not modeled here.
FICA Taxes
- Social Security: 6.2% on income up to $168,600 (2025)
- Medicare: 1.45% on all income (additional 0.9% over $200k for single filers)
Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates only. Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance), and other factors. Consult a tax professional for accurate planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal income tax depends on your bracket (10-37%), plus Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and state taxes (0-13.3% depending on state). A $50,000 salary typically sees 20-30% withheld for all taxes combined.
First paychecks may cover partial pay periods, and new employees often have front-loaded deductions for benefits enrollment, retirement setup, or union dues. Future paychecks should be more predictable once deductions stabilize.
Start with gross pay, subtract federal and state income taxes, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and any pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance). Our calculator estimates these deductions based on your filing status.
The new W-4 no longer uses allowances. Instead, adjust withholding using the Multiple Jobs Worksheet or deductions section. Withhold more for a refund, less to increase take-home pay. Use the IRS withholding estimator for accuracy.
Gross pay is your total earnings before deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what you actually receive after taxes, insurance, retirement contributions, and other deductions. Net pay is typically 70-80% of gross pay.
Bonuses are taxed as supplemental income at a flat 22% federal rate (37% over $1 million). Your actual tax may differ based on your total annual income. Bonuses may also push you into a higher bracket for the year.