Complete guide
Take-home pay calculator with 2026 payroll taxes
Enter gross pay, pay frequency, deductions and effective withholding rates. Calculator24 estimates each paycheck and annual net pay, showing every subtraction separately.
Gross pay to net pay
Annual equivalents make weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly pay comparable. Each deduction is annualized before net pay is divided back into pay periods.
2026 employee FICA
IRS Publication 15 sets employee Social Security at 6.2% up to $184,500 of wages and Medicare at 1.45% without a wage base. Employers withhold an additional 0.9% Medicare tax above $200,000 paid to an employee.
Income tax withholding
Federal withholding depends on wages and Form W-4 information. This calculator uses effective rates you enter so the assumption remains visible rather than pretending to complete a tax return.
Pre-tax and post-tax deductions
Pre-tax deductions reduce the income-tax base in this model. FICA treatment varies by benefit; this simplified calculation applies FICA to gross wages.
Verify the paycheck
Compare the result with a paystub and use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator for filing status, other income, deductions and credits. Net pay can differ because payroll systems round each line.
2026 employee payroll tax reference
| Tax | Employee rate | 2026 wage rule |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | No wage base |
| Additional Medicare | 0.9% | Over $200,000 withheld |
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculate my final federal tax?
No. It estimates paycheck withholding from the effective rate you enter.
Why is FICA based on gross wages?
Many common retirement deferrals remain subject to FICA, though benefit treatment varies.
What is biweekly pay?
It means 26 modeled pay periods per year.
Does it include employer payroll tax?
No. Only the modeled employee share reduces take-home pay.
How can I improve accuracy?
Use rates and deductions from a recent paystub and check the official IRS estimator.
What to keep in mind
This transparent estimator uses entered effective income-tax rates. It does not reproduce Form W-4 tables or determine final tax liability.
Results display up to 8 decimal places; exported numbers preserve calculation precision. This is a calculation summary, not an official certificate.