Enter your salary, filing status, and state to estimate federal tax, state tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) — plus how pre-tax health insurance and 401(k) contributions lower what actually gets taxed. Updated for 2026 federal brackets and all 50 states.
This is a free planning tool, not tax or financial advice. It is not affiliated with the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or any state tax agency, and results are estimates only — your actual paycheck can differ based on your employer's payroll setup, local taxes, credits, and other factors this calculator doesn't account for. For decisions that matter, confirm your numbers with a licensed tax professional or your payroll department.
Gross pay per check minus taxes and pre-tax deductions, based on the pay frequency you chose above.
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Open sleep calculatorHealth insurance premiums deducted through your employer (a Section 125 cafeteria plan) come out before federal tax, state tax, and FICA are calculated — they lower all three. A traditional 401(k) contribution comes out before federal and state tax, but it does not reduce the wages Social Security and Medicare tax are calculated on, since FICA applies to your full paycheck before retirement deductions. This calculator applies both rules correctly, using 2026 federal tax brackets, the 2026 standard deduction for your filing status, and 2026 FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base, 1.45% Medicare plus an extra 0.9% on income above $200,000 single / $250,000 married).
State tax accuracy varies by state. States marked "exact" below use the real 2026 bracket thresholds. Flat-tax states use their exact single rate. A number of states with progressive brackets are calculated using that state's top marginal rate applied to your full taxable income as a simplified estimate — this can run a little high for income that doesn't reach the top bracket. The calculator tells you which kind of estimate applies once you calculate. This tool doesn't account for local/city income taxes, state-specific standard deductions or credits, or pre-tax items like HSAs and commuter benefits, so treat the result as a solid planning estimate rather than a paycheck-exact figure.
No. Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce the income used for federal and state income tax, but Social Security and Medicare tax are still calculated on your full pay before the 401(k) comes out.
Yes, if it's deducted pre-tax through your employer (the most common setup). It lowers your federal tax, state tax, and FICA tax all at once, unlike a 401(k).
Some states have several progressive tax brackets. To keep this calculator simple, those states use the top marginal rate applied to all your taxable income, which is a slight overestimate for anyone not in the top bracket. States with exact bracket math are labeled "exact."
Yes, completely free, with no account or download needed.
CalmScreen's paycheck calculator is an independent, free tool for general planning purposes only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS, the Social Security Administration, any state government, or any employer. Figures are estimates based on published 2026 tax rates and may not match your actual paycheck. Always verify important numbers with a licensed tax professional or your employer's payroll department.