Every calculator follows the same steps an employer's payroll system uses, with rates taken directly from government sources.
We subtract pre-tax 401(k) contributions and the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household), then apply the seven federal brackets from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. The yearly total is divided by your number of paychecks.
Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026. Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000. These taxes apply to gross pay, so 401(k) contributions do not lower them.
Each state page applies that state's 2026 rules: flat or graduated income tax, standard deductions, exemptions or allowances, and payroll programs such as California SDI, New York Paid Family Leave or Washington WA Cares. Where cities add their own income tax, you can enter your local rate.
We use the IRS, the Social Security Administration and each state's revenue or labor department. Every page lists its sources and the date it was last reviewed. When new rates are announced, usually between October and January, we update the affected calculators.
Our estimates do not include health insurance premiums, HSA or FSA contributions, extra W-4 withholding, dependent credits, school district taxes or bonuses. Your actual paycheck may differ, so always compare with your pay stub.
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