See what actually lands in your account
Your gross pay and your take-home pay are two very different numbers. This calculator estimates your net pay after the big deductions — federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and state income tax — so you know what to expect on payday. Enter your pay for any frequency and it shows your take-home per paycheck and per year.
What gets deducted
- Federal income tax: based on current tax brackets and the standard deduction for your filing status.
- Social Security: 6.2% up to the annual wage base.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages (plus 0.9% above higher-income thresholds).
- State income tax: varies by state — nine states have none. We pre-fill an approximate rate you can edit.
- Pre-tax deductions: 401(k), HSA, and similar contributions lower your taxable income.
How to boost your take-home (or your future)
- Contributing to a traditional 401(k) lowers your federal taxable income now.
- Check your W-4 if your refund or bill is consistently large — it means your withholding is off.
- Remember FICA stops on Social Security once you pass the annual wage base.