Paycheck Tax Calculator - Calculate Take-Home Pay by State
Free paycheck tax calculator to estimate your take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes with support for all 50 states and multiple pay frequencies
Paycheck Tax Calculator
Paycheck Breakdown
What is a Paycheck Tax Calculator?
A Paycheck Tax Calculator is a free financial tool that estimates your take-home pay per paycheck after all taxes and deductions. It calculates federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any additional taxes based on your pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
This calculator is essential for:
- Budget Planning - Understand your actual take-home pay for monthly budgeting
- Job Offers - Compare net pay across different salaries and states
- Paycheck Verification - Verify your employer's payroll calculations are accurate
- Tax Planning - Optimize W-4 withholdings to match tax liability
- State Comparisons - See how different states affect your take-home pay
To understand California's high withholding rates, check out our California Tax Calculator to see how CA's 13.3% top rate affects your actual paycheck amount.
For calculating New York state withholdings, explore our New York Tax Calculator to determine how NY's progressive tax rates impact your take-home pay.
To compare paychecks across multiple states side-by-side, use our State Tax Comparison Calculator to evaluate job offers in different locations.
For seeing maximum take-home pay with zero state tax, try our Texas Tax Calculator to calculate how much more you keep without state income tax.
To view paycheck differences across all 50 states, check our Income Tax Comparison by State to identify the most paycheck-friendly states for your income.
How the Calculator Works
The calculation follows standard payroll withholding procedures:
Step 1: Calculate Gross Pay Per Paycheck
Gross Pay = Annual Salary ÷ Pay Periods Per Year
Step 2: Calculate Taxable Income
Subtract pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, etc.) and apply standard deduction
Step 3: Calculate Federal Tax Withholding
Use 2025 federal tax brackets with progressive rates: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%
Step 4: Calculate State Tax Withholding
Apply state-specific tax rates (0% for 9 no-income-tax states)
Step 5: Calculate FICA Taxes
Social Security = Gross × 6.2% (up to $176,100)
Medicare = Gross × 1.45% (+ 0.9% if >$200k)
Final: Calculate Net Paycheck
Net Pay = Gross - Federal - State - FICA
Key Paycheck Tax Concepts
Gross vs Net Pay
Gross pay is your total earnings before taxes. Net pay is your take-home amount after all taxes and deductions.
Pay Frequency Impact
Bi-weekly (26 paychecks) vs semi-monthly (24 paychecks) affects per-check amounts but not annual totals.
Federal Withholding
Based on W-4 form, filing status, dependents, and 2025 tax brackets. Progressive rates apply to income tiers.
State Tax Variation
9 states have no income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, NH, SD, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming).
FICA Taxes
Social Security: 6.2% up to $176,100 wage base. Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, +0.9% over $200k/$250k.
Pre-Tax Deductions
401(k), HSA, FSA contributions reduce taxable income, lowering federal and state taxes but not FICA.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Annual Salary
Input your gross annual salary before any deductions (e.g., $75,000)
Select Pay Frequency
Choose weekly (52), bi-weekly (26), semi-monthly (24), or monthly (12)
Choose Your State
Select from all 50 states - calculator applies state-specific tax rates
Select Filing Status
Choose single, married filing jointly, or head of household
Add Dependents & Deductions
Include dependents and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions
Review Results
See per-paycheck and annual breakdown with all taxes calculated
Benefits of Using This Calculator
- • All 50 States Supported: Calculate take-home pay for any US state with accurate 2025 tax rates.
- • Multiple Pay Frequencies: Supports weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly pay schedules.
- • Complete Tax Breakdown: Shows federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings separately.
- • Budget Planning: Know exactly how much lands in your bank account each payday.
- • Job Comparison: Compare take-home pay across different job offers in different states.
- • Instant Results: Get immediate paycheck estimates with per-pay and annual totals.
Factors That Affect Your Paycheck
1. State of Residence
State income tax rates vary dramatically - from 0% in 9 states to 13.3% in California, significantly affecting take-home pay.
2. Pay Frequency
Bi-weekly (26 paychecks) gives smaller amounts per check than semi-monthly (24 paychecks), but you get 2 extra checks annually.
3. W-4 Withholding
Your W-4 form elections affect federal withholding. More allowances = less withheld per paycheck, but possible tax bill in April.
4. Pre-Tax Deductions
401(k), HSA, FSA contributions reduce taxable income, lowering taxes but also reducing gross pay on paycheck.
5. Income Level
Higher incomes face higher marginal tax rates and Additional Medicare Tax (0.9% over $200k/$250k threshold).
6. Filing Status
Married filing jointly typically has wider tax brackets and lower withholding than single filers at same income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is my paycheck calculated?
Your paycheck is calculated by taking your gross pay and subtracting federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and any additional taxes like local taxes or Additional Medicare Tax (0.9% on income over $200,000).
What is the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly pay?
Bi-weekly means you're paid every two weeks (26 paychecks per year), while semi-monthly means twice per month (24 paychecks per year). Bi-weekly results in two extra paychecks annually, affecting per-paycheck amounts.
Which states have no income tax?
Nine states have no personal income tax in 2025: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Residents of these states only pay federal income tax and FICA taxes.
What is FICA tax?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax includes Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $176,100) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages over $200,000 for single filers).