What gets taken out of your paycheck?
Every paycheck goes through several layers of withholding before you see it. Understanding each one helps you plan your budget and your W-4 adjustments.
Federal income tax
The U.S. uses a progressive bracket system: you pay a lower rate on the first dollars earned and higher rates as income climbs. Your marginal rate (the highest bracket you hit) is not the same as your effective rate (what you actually pay on average). Most $60–90k earners have an effective federal rate of 14–20%.
FICA: Social Security + Medicare
These are flat percentages everyone pays: 6.2% for Social Security (up to $176,100 in 2026) and 1.45% for Medicare (no cap). Together that's 7.65% off every paycheck, regardless of your bracket.
State income tax
Ranges from 0% in nine no-tax states to over 13% in California's top bracket. For most people it's the second-biggest deduction after federal tax.
No-income-tax states
These nine states charge zero state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Moving to one can increase take-home pay by 4–10% depending on your income.
How to increase your take-home pay
- Pre-tax 401(k) contributions — every dollar you contribute reduces your taxable income. A $10,000 contribution in the 22% bracket saves ~$2,200 in federal tax.
- HSA or FSA contributions — same principle: pre-tax, lowers your taxable income.
- Adjust your W-4 — if you consistently get a large refund, you're over-withholding. Adjust allowances to get more each paycheck instead of a lump sum in April.
Frequently asked questions
Is this accurate for my paycheck?
It's a close estimate for most W-2 employees. Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, 401(k) contributions, health insurance, and other pre-tax deductions — none of which are included here. Use this as a planning baseline.
Why does married filing jointly change my take-home?
Married filing jointly doubles the standard deduction and applies wider brackets, so the same income is taxed at a lower effective rate than single status.
Is my data saved?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
For educational and estimation purposes only; not tax advice. Tax rates are approximations for 2026. Actual withholding depends on your W-4, pre-tax deductions, and other factors. Consult a tax professional for precise figures.