How to use the paycheck calculator
- Choose Salary or Hourly and enter your pay. For hourly work, add any regular overtime — it is paid at 1.5×.
- Select how often you are paid and your filing status from your W-4.
- Pick your state. No-income-tax and flat-tax states fill in automatically; for other states enter your estimated rate.
- Open Deductions & dependents to add 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums and children.
What comes out of your paycheck
Federal income tax
The US uses progressive brackets: each slice of income is taxed at its own rate. For 2026 the IRS standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household. Only income above the standard deduction is taxed.
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 | $0 – $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 | $24,801 – $100,800 | $17,701 – $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 | $100,801 – $211,400 | $67,451 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 | $211,401 – $403,550 | $105,701 – $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,776 – $256,225 | $403,551 – $512,450 | $201,751 – $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,226 – $640,600 | $512,451 – $768,700 | $256,201 – $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 |
2026 taxable-income brackets from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32.
FICA: Social Security and Medicare
Employees pay 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, and 1.45% Medicare on all wages. An extra 0.9% Medicare tax is withheld on wages over $200,000. Your employer pays a matching share that does not come out of your check.
State and local taxes
Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — have no state income tax on wages. Fifteen states use a single flat rate; the rest use graduated brackets. Some cities and counties (for example New York City, Philadelphia and many Ohio and Pennsylvania towns) add a local income tax.
Pre-tax deductions
Traditional 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) reduce the income subject to federal and most state tax, but not Social Security and Medicare. Health insurance premiums and HSA contributions taken through payroll generally reduce both.
Why your real paycheck may differ
- Withholding uses the IRS percentage-method tables and your W-4 settings, which spread tax evenly over the year.
- Bonuses are often withheld at a flat 22% supplemental rate.
- Tax credits, other income and itemized deductions are settled when you file your return.
Use this as an estimate for budgeting and comparing job offers — it is not tax advice. To convert between hourly, weekly and annual pay without taxes, use the salary calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes?
For a single filer in a no-income-tax state like Texas, roughly $54,400 a year (about $2,090 every two weeks) in 2026. Use the calculator with your state for an exact estimate.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household.
Do 401(k) contributions lower my taxes?
Traditional (pre-tax) 401(k) contributions lower federal and most state income tax. They do not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not tax wages.
Is this calculator accurate for my state?
Flat-tax and no-tax states are filled in automatically. For states with graduated brackets, enter your expected effective rate — your state revenue department website lists the brackets.