Take-Home Paycheck Calculator 2026
See your exact net pay after federal income tax, FICA, and pre-tax deductions. Get per-paycheck results for any pay frequency.
Take-Home Paycheck Calculator
2026 Federal + FICA + State Tax
Net Pay Per Bi-Weekly Paycheck
$2,352
$61,149/year net · 26 paychecks/year
$75,000
Gross Income
$8,114
Federal Tax
$5,738
FICA (SS + Medicare)
18.5%
Effective Rate
What Is Take-Home Pay?
Take-home pay — also called net pay — is the amount you actually receive after all taxes and deductions are subtracted from your gross (pre-tax) salary. Understanding it helps you budget, negotiate job offers, and plan your finances accurately. Your gross salary passes through several deductions before it reaches you:
- Federal income tax — based on your income bracket and filing status
- Social Security tax — 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2026 wage base)
- Medicare tax — 1.45% on all wages (plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000)
- State income tax — varies from 0% to over 13% by state
- Pre-tax deductions — 401(k), health insurance, HSA/FSA contributions
2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets
Federal income tax uses a progressive system — you pay different rates on different portions of your taxable income. Here are the 2026 brackets used in this calculator, matching those on our income tax calculator.
| Rate | Single Filers | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 | $0 – $23,850 | $0 – $17,000 |
| 12% | $11,925 – $48,475 | $23,850 – $96,950 | $17,000 – $64,850 |
| 22% | $48,475 – $103,350 | $96,950 – $206,700 | $64,850 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,350 – $197,300 | $206,700 – $394,600 | $103,350 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,300 – $250,525 | $394,600 – $501,050 | $197,300 – $250,500 |
| 35% | $250,525 – $626,350 | $501,050 – $751,600 | $250,500 – $626,350 |
| 37% | $626,350 – + | $751,600 – + | $626,350 – + |
2026 Standard Deductions
| Filing Status | Standard Deduction 2026 |
|---|---|
| Single | $15,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $30,000 |
| Head of Household | $22,500 |
How FICA Taxes Work
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. They're deducted from every paycheck regardless of your filing status or deductions:
- Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2026 wage base). Your employer matches this 6.2%.
- Medicare: 1.45% on all wages with no cap. Your employer matches 1.45%.
- Additional Medicare Tax: 0.9% on wages over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ). Employer does not match this portion.
- Self-employed: pay both employee + employer portions — 15.3% total (12.4% SS + 2.9% Medicare), but can deduct half as a business expense.
— FAQ