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Paycheck Calculator

See where each paycheck actually goes. Built on the official 2026 federal brackets ($16,100 single standard deduction) and 2026 FICA limits.

Uses official 2026 federal brackets, standard deductions, and FICA limits. This is a planning estimate — actual withholding depends on your W-4 and local taxes.

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Common questions

What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?

The seven rates are unchanged at 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%, with inflation-adjusted thresholds. For single filers the 22% bracket starts at $50,400 of taxable income; the standard deduction is $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, and $24,150 head of household.

What are FICA taxes?

Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages, plus an extra 0.9% above $200,000 for single filers). Your employer pays a matching share.

Why is my real paycheck different from this estimate?

Actual withholding follows your Form W-4 entries and IRS withholding tables, and may include local taxes, disability insurance, or benefits not modeled here. This tool estimates your true annual liability spread across paychecks, which is a good planning baseline.

Does contributing to a 401(k) lower my taxes?

Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your federal and (usually) state taxable income, though they're still subject to Social Security and Medicare tax. Try raising the percentage above and watch how little your take-home actually drops.