Is this calculator exact for my paycheck?

It's a close estimate based on 2025 federal tax brackets and simplified state tax rates. Your actual paycheck may differ slightly due to local taxes, additional withholdings, tax credits, or your employer's specific payroll setup.

FICA refers to Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base) and Medicare (1.45%, with an additional 0.9% above certain income thresholds not modeled here) — mandatory federal payroll taxes.

How does a 401(k) contribution affect my paycheck?

Traditional 401(k) contributions are deducted before federal (and often state) income tax is calculated, which lowers your taxable income and reduces your tax bill — even though it also reduces your take-home pay.

Why do some states show 0% tax?

Nine US states (including Texas, Florida, and Washington) have no state income tax at all, so residents keep more of their gross pay compared to high-tax states like California or New York.

Is my salary information stored?

No. All tax calculations happen locally in your browser using the built-in tax tables — nothing is transmitted or saved.

Paycheck Calculator

Calculate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and 401(k) contributions. Supports US and UK tax rules for 2025.

How It Works

Enter your annual gross salary, pay frequency, filing status, and state to see your estimated net (take-home) pay after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any 401(k) or health insurance deductions. Uses simplified 2025 US federal tax brackets and state flat-rate approximations.

Formula

Net Pay = Gross Pay − Federal Tax − State Tax − Social Security (6.2%) − Medicare (1.45%) − Pre-tax Deductions

Federal tax is calculated using progressive 2025 IRS brackets (after subtracting the standard deduction and any 401(k) contributions from taxable income). State tax uses a simplified flat-rate approximation per state. Social Security applies up to the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2025); Medicare applies to all wages.

Worked Example

$75,000 salary, single filer, New York, bi-weekly pay

Annual gross salary: $75,000, paid bi-weekly (26 periods)
Gross per paycheck: $2,884.62
401(k) contribution (6%): $173.08/paycheck (pre-tax)
Federal income tax (2025 single bracket, after standard deduction): ≈$390/paycheck
New York state tax (≈6.5% approx.): ≈$176/paycheck
Social Security (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%): ≈$220/paycheck
Estimated net pay ≈ $1,925/paycheck (≈$50,050/year)

Common Mistakes

Forgetting that 401(k) contributions reduce taxable income

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Pre-tax 401(k) contributions lower your federal (and usually state) taxable income, so increasing your contribution rate doesn't reduce your take-home pay dollar-for-dollar — part of it comes from tax savings.

Comparing job offers by gross salary alone

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Two offers with the same gross salary in different states (e.g., California vs. Texas) can have meaningfully different take-home pay due to state income tax differences. Always compare net pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guide & Instructions

2026-07-11

Understanding Your Paycheck: Gross Pay vs. Net Pay, Explained

Your offer letter shows a gross salary, but your bank account tells a different story. Here's exactly where the difference goes — federal tax, state tax, FICA, and pre-tax deductions.

Read full guide →

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DisclaimerThe results provided by this calculator are estimates and for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for your specific needs.