Tax & Business
Payroll Calculator
Estimate 2026 take-home pay with simplified federal tax, FICA, deductions, and a state tax rate you enter.
Guide
How to use the Payroll Calculator
The Payroll Calculator helps you make a quick estimate, compare scenarios, and understand the numbers behind the result. It is designed for fast planning, with enough context to make the answer useful instead of just a number.
- Enter the amount, jurisdiction, filing details, or business figures that match your situation.
- Review the estimated tax, net amount, rate, or return shown in the result panel.
- Compare scenarios before making a purchase, payroll, investment, or tax planning decision.
Method
How this calculator works
It annualizes pay and estimates 2026 single-filer federal tax and FICA, then divides by pay frequency. The state rate is entered by the user; this is not an IRS W-4 withholding calculation.
This calculator is useful for understanding a paycheck before accepting a job or changing deductions.
Because assumptions matter, try a few values that represent optimistic, typical, and conservative cases.
Tax and business results are estimates. Rules vary by jurisdiction and can change, so verify important decisions with official guidance or a qualified professional.
Example
Worked example
For an $80,000 salary paid 24 times a year in 2026, each gross check is $3,333.33. With no pre-tax benefits or state tax, the simplified single-filer estimate deducts about $365.42 of federal income tax and $255 of FICA per check, leaving about $2,712.92. Actual payroll withholding depends on the employee's W-4 and other factors.
FAQ
Common questions
Why is my paycheck so much smaller than my salary suggests?
Gross pay loses federal income tax withholding, Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base), Medicare (1.45%), state income tax in most states, and any benefit deductions like health insurance and 401(k) contributions. Together these commonly take 20%–35% of gross.
What is FICA on my pay stub?
The combined Social Security and Medicare tax — 7.65% of gross pay for employees (your employer pays a matching 7.65%). High earners pay an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax above $200,000.
Does contributing to a 401(k) lower my taxes?
Traditional 401(k) contributions come out before federal income tax, so a $500 contribution reduces taxable wages by $500 and shrinks your paycheck by less than $500. It does not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax.
What information do I need for the Payroll?
You usually need gross pay, pay frequency, deductions, and an optional flat state tax rate. You can change the inputs and recalculate as many times as needed.
How does the Payroll calculate the result?
It annualizes pay and estimates 2026 single-filer federal tax and FICA, then divides by pay frequency. The state rate is entered by the user; this is not an IRS W-4 withholding calculation.
Are the results exact?
Tax and business results are estimates. Rules vary by jurisdiction and can change, so verify important decisions with official guidance or a qualified professional.
Related
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