US Take-Home Pay Calculator — Federal Tax & FICA (2026)
Your salary and your take-home pay are very different numbers. This calculator applies the 2026 US federal income tax brackets, the standard deduction, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) to show what actually lands in your bank account — plus a field for your own state's tax, since that varies enormously by where you live.
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, estimated. State tax uses a flat rate you enter — most states have their own brackets, so treat this as an approximation. Excludes local/city taxes.
Uses 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction estimates. State tax is a flat rate you provide, not your state's actual bracket structure. For an exact figure, use IRS.gov or a full payroll calculator.
How to use this tool
- Enter your annual gross salary and filing status.
- Add your state's effective tax rate — 0% for no-income-tax states (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, and others), or your state's rate if you know it.
- Add any pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, health premiums) to see their real impact.
- Press Calculate for a full federal + FICA + state breakdown and your monthly take-home.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my take-home pay so much lower than my salary?
Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and — depending on where you live — state income tax all come out before you see your salary. For many people, total tax takes 20-35% of gross pay, which is why take-home is significantly lower than the number on your offer letter.
Which states have no income tax?
As of 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (no tax on wages), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming charge no state income tax on wages. Everywhere else has some state tax — enter your state's effective rate to include it.
What is FICA?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) funds Social Security and Medicare. You pay 6.2% for Social Security up to an annual wage cap ($176,100 for 2026), and 1.45% for Medicare with no cap — plus an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax on income above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).
Does this include 401(k) or other pre-tax benefits?
Yes if you enter them — the 'pre-tax deductions' field reduces your taxable income (and, in most cases, your FICA base too) the same way real payroll does. This shows you the tax savings from contributing.