Paycheck Calculator - After Tax Income, Federal Withholding & Take-Home Pay
You were offered $22/hour, paid biweekly, filing single with no state income tax. Before you budget rent, you want to know what actually lands in your account—usually about $1,492 per paycheck (~$38,800/year), not the full $1,760 gross. Enter your pay rate, frequency, and deductions below for a full federal and FICA breakdown using 2026 IRS tables.
Income details
Enter your gross pay, frequency, and filing status.
Deductions & adjustments
401(k), HSA, health insurance, etc.
Optional: enter your state's flat rate for rough estimate
Extra amount to withhold each pay period
Your take-home pay
Net pay after federal, FICA, and state taxes.
Net pay (Biweekly)
$1,492.31
$1,760 gross · $268 withheld
Tax withholding breakdown
Detailed breakdown of federal, FICA, and state taxes per paycheck and annually.
| Tax type | Per paycheck | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $133 | $3,459 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $109 | $2,837 |
| Medicare (1.45%+) | $26 | $664 |
| Total withheld | $268 | $6,960 |
| Net take-home | $1,492 | $38,800 |
Methodology and limitations
Last reviewed:
Methodology
Calculates federal income tax using 2026 IRS progressive tax brackets applied to taxable income (gross minus standard deduction and pre-tax deductions). Applies FICA taxes: Social Security at 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base ($176,100) and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages plus an additional 0.9% Medicare tax for high earners. Includes optional flat state tax rate for rough estimates. Outputs net pay per paycheck and annually with effective and marginal tax rates.
Limitations
Estimate only, not tax advice. Does not account for itemized deductions, tax credits, specific W-4 elections, employer-specific deductions, or complex state tax calculations. Actual withholding depends on W-4 filing, state/local taxes, and payroll rules. Consult IRS Publication 15-T and a tax professional for personalized guidance.
How After-Tax Paycheck Estimates Work
You were offered $22/hour, paid biweekly, filing single with no state income tax. Before you budget rent, you want to know what actually lands in your account—usually about $1,492 per paycheck (~$38,800/year), not the full $1,760 gross. Enter your pay rate, frequency, and deductions below for a full federal and FICA breakdown using 2026 IRS tables.
Method used
This calculator applies 2026 IRS federal tax brackets progressively to your taxable income (gross pay minus standard deduction and pre-tax deductions like 401(k)), calculates FICA taxes (Social Security at 6.2% up to the $176,100 wage base and Medicare at 1.45% plus an additional 0.9% for high earners), and optionally applies a flat state tax rate. It divides annual taxes by your pay frequency to show net take-home per paycheck.
Taxable income = Gross - Standard Deduction - Pre-tax Deductions; Federal tax = progressive bracket calculation; FICA = SS (6.2% up to base) + Medicare (1.45%+); Net pay = Gross - Total Taxes
Practical example
You were offered $22/hour, paid biweekly, filing single with no pre-tax deductions: about $1,492 net per paycheck (~$38,800/year), not the full $1,760 gross—roughly 15% effective federal rate with 12% marginal bracket.
- $1,760 biweekly gross ($22/hour full-time)
- Single filing status
- Biweekly pay frequency (26 periods)
- $0 pre-tax deductions
- 0% state tax
- $0 additional withholding
$1,492 net per paycheck (~$38,800 annual) with ~15% effective tax rate
What this includes
- 2026 federal income tax brackets and standard deductions
- Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100 wage base)
- Medicare (1.45% + additional 0.9% over threshold)
- Optional flat state tax percentage
- Pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, health insurance)
- Effective and marginal tax rates
- Breakdown per paycheck and annually
What this excludes
- State-specific tax brackets and deductions (only flat rate estimate)
- Local income taxes
- Itemized deductions or tax credits
- W-4 withholding allowances and specific elections
- Employer-specific benefits or deductions
- Disability, unemployment, or other payroll taxes
- Post-tax deductions (Roth 401(k), garnishments)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is federal income tax calculated on my paycheck?
Federal income tax uses progressive tax brackets applied to your taxable income (gross income minus the standard deduction and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions). For 2026, single filers pay 10% on income up to $11,600, 12% on $11,600-$47,150, 22% on $47,150-$100,525, and higher rates above that. Your actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, but this calculator estimates the tax based on current IRS brackets and standard deductions ($15,000 single, $30,000 married filing jointly in 2026).
What is FICA and how much is withheld from each paycheck?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) covers Social Security and Medicare. Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to the wage base ($176,100 for 2026), and Medicare is 1.45% of all wages. High earners (single filers over $200,000, married over $250,000) pay an additional 0.9% Medicare tax. On $45,760 annual wages ($22/hour full-time), Social Security is about $2,837 annually and Medicare is about $664 annually. These amounts are divided by your number of pay periods to get the per-paycheck withholding.
How do I calculate my take-home pay per paycheck?
Take-home pay (net pay) is your gross pay minus all withholdings: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax (if applicable), and any additional withholdings you specified on your W-4. For example, a biweekly paycheck of $1,760 gross ($22/hour full-time) with single filing might net approximately $1,492 after ~$133 federal tax, ~$109 Social Security, and ~$26 Medicare. Use this calculator to enter your specific pay frequency and gross amount for an exact breakdown.
Should I include 401(k) contributions in this calculator?
Yes. 401(k) contributions are pre-tax deductions, which lower your taxable income and reduce your federal income tax withholding. Enter your annual 401(k) contribution amount in the Pre-tax Deductions field. For example, contributing $2,600 annually ($100 per biweekly paycheck) on $45,760 gross reduces taxable income and increases net take-home versus skipping the deduction. Pre-tax deductions do not reduce FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare are still calculated on gross wages).
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal tax rate is the rate you pay on your next dollar of income - determined by your highest tax bracket. Your effective tax rate is your total tax divided by gross income - the average rate you actually pay. For $45,760 gross with single filing, your marginal rate is 12% (the bracket your top dollar falls into), but your effective federal tax rate is lower because income in lower brackets is taxed at 10% and 12%. This calculator displays both rates so you can plan W-4 adjustments.
Can I use this calculator for state income tax?
This calculator includes an optional state tax rate field where you can enter a flat percentage (0-15%) for a rough estimate of state withholding on your gross income. For example, someone earning $22/hour ($45,760/year) in a 5% flat-tax state might see about $2,288 in annual state tax. This is a simplified approximation - actual state tax calculations use state-specific brackets, standard deductions, and credits. For a precise state tax estimate, consult your state's Department of Revenue or a tax professional.
What changes if I earn $18/hour?
At $18/hour full-time ($1,440 biweekly gross, $37,440/year), single filing with no state tax, take-home is typically around $1,220–1,230 per paycheck—lower than $22/hour because more income sits in lower brackets and FICA is slightly less. Enter $1,440 biweekly in the calculator to see the exact federal, Social Security, and Medicare split for your situation.
How does pre-tax health insurance affect take-home pay?
Health premiums paid pre-tax reduce federal taxable income but not FICA. On $28/hour biweekly ($2,240 gross), $100 per paycheck toward health insurance lowers taxable wages and usually increases net pay versus paying the same premium after tax. Enter your gross pay and annual pre-tax deduction total to see the difference.
How accurate is this paycheck calculator for 2026?
This calculator uses 2026 IRS inflation-adjusted federal tax brackets, standard deductions, and FICA rates (Social Security wage base of $176,100). It provides estimates based on the standard deduction for your filing status and does not account for itemized deductions, tax credits, or specific W-4 allowances. Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections (which you control), employer-specific deductions, and any additional income or deductions. Use this calculator for planning and budgeting - consult a tax advisor or IRS Publication 15-T for official withholding guidance.