W-2 Paycheck Calculator

Take-home pay starts with your gross income, then subtracts federal income tax, state income tax, FICA taxes (Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45%), and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or health insurance. The result is your net pay per period.

For 2026, brackets are: 10% up to $12,400 (single), 12% from $12,401–$50,400, 22% from $50,401–$107,600, 24% from $107,601–$205,600, 32% from $205,601–$261,200, 35% from $261,201–$653,000, and 37% above $653,000. Married filing jointly brackets are roughly double.

Nine states: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. At 22% federal + 5% state, a $10,000 contribution saves roughly $2,700 in taxes. 2025 limits: $24,000 (under 50) or $31,000 (50+).

Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar earned. Your effective rate is total tax divided by gross income — what you actually pay on average. Most people's effective rate is well below their marginal rate.

The W-4 tells your employer how much federal tax to withhold. Step 4(c) lets you request extra withholding per paycheck. If you have multiple jobs or a working spouse, completing Step 2 prevents under-withholding at tax time.