Last updated November 2026.
Take-Home Pay Calculator is a free tool that estimates the money you keep from each paycheck after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax. It covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia, for single filers and married couples filing jointly.
Pay is annualized, a pre-tax 401(k) contribution is subtracted where the state allows it, and the federal standard deduction and 2026 brackets are applied. Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500. Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (joint). Each state is calculated with its own brackets, deductions, exemptions and credits, plus employee-paid payroll contributions such as disability or paid family leave insurance.
Federal figures follow the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments. State figures come from each state's revenue department publications, withholding guides and enacted legislation, cross-checked against payroll and tax-law reporting. Where a state had not yet published a 2026 figure, the state page says so.
The calculator assumes a standard W-4 and does not include city or county income taxes (with Maryland county tax as the one assumed exception), other income, credits, health insurance, HSA or other deductions, or head of household filing. It is an estimate, not a tax return.
If you find a figure that is out of date or wrong, please tell us on the contact page and include the state and the source. We review reports and update the rules.