Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay per paycheck after 2026 federal tax brackets and FICA.
Estimated take-home per paycheck
Enter your salary above
2026 federal single-filer brackets + standard deduction ($16,100) and FICA (7.65%) only.
Excludes state/local tax, filing status changes, pre-tax benefits, and credits — use your pay
stub or a tax professional for exact figures.
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How this paycheck estimate works
This calculator applies the 2026 IRS federal tax brackets for single filers to your salary minus the standard deduction, then subtracts FICA payroll tax (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare = 7.65%) to estimate your take-home pay per paycheck.
What this doesn't include
- State and local income tax, which varies widely (some states have none).
- Filing statuses other than single, and tax credits like the Child Tax Credit.
- Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums, which lower taxable income.
- The Social Security wage base cap, above which the 6.2% portion stops applying.
Frequently asked questions
- Why doesn't this match my real paycheck?
- Your actual paycheck also reflects state tax, your specific W-4 elections, pre-tax deductions, and benefits, none of which this simplified estimate includes.
- What tax year is this based on?
- The 2026 federal single-filer brackets and standard deduction, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.