Watcharu Finance

Paycheck Calculator

Gross pay isn't what lands in your account. See what's actually left after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, and your state's income tax.

$2,774.81 Take-home per paycheck

Gross per paycheck
$3,461.54
Federal income tax
$421.92
Social Security (6.2%)
$214.62
Medicare
$50.19
Take-home per year
$72,145
Total tax rate
19.8%

Federal income tax and FICA only — pick a state to add state income tax. Health insurance and other payroll deductions aren't modeled.

How it works

Federal tax is computed using the current standard deduction and marginal tax brackets for your filing status. Social Security (6.2%) applies up to the annual wage base; Medicare (1.45%) applies to all wages, plus an extra 0.9% above the statutory high-earner threshold. Pick a state to add its income tax — brackets, standard deduction, and personal exemption from the Tax Foundation's current-year table — plus any employee-paid state payroll tax such as California SDI. The total is divided across your chosen pay frequency.

Explain it to a kid

When grown-ups get paid, some of the money automatically goes to the government before it ever reaches their pocket — that's taxes. This calculator shows how much of a paycheck is left after that happens.

Frequently asked questions

Does this include state income tax?
Yes, once you pick a state. Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — don't tax wages at all; the rest use either a flat rate or progressive brackets with their own standard deduction or exemption. City and county income taxes (New York City, Maryland counties, Ohio and Pennsylvania municipalities) aren't included.
Why is my take-home pay lower than gross pay minus federal tax?
FICA — Social Security and Medicare — comes out too, on top of federal income tax. Social Security is 6.2% up to the annual wage base; Medicare is 1.45% on everything, with an extra 0.9% above a high-earner threshold.
What does the pre-tax retirement contribution field do?
It reduces the income federal tax is calculated on, the same way a traditional 401(k) contribution works — but it does not reduce the wages Social Security and Medicare are calculated on, since FICA applies before that deduction.
Does this account for health insurance or other payroll deductions?
No — only taxes are modeled. Health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and other payroll deductions will reduce your actual take-home pay further.

Paycheck Calculator by state

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