US Paycheck Tax Calculator

Calculate your take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes. Estimate paycheck withholdings.

Estimate federal and state tax withholdings.

About This Calculator

Know exactly what you'll take home with the US Paycheck Tax Calculator. Estimate federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax withholdings.

Your gross salary and take-home pay can differ significantly. Understanding paycheck deductions helps you budget accurately, make informed job decisions, and optimize your tax situation through 401k contributions and other pre-tax benefits.

Key Paycheck Deductions

Take-Home = Gross - Federal Tax - FICA - State Tax

FICA = Social Security (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%) = 7.65%

Practical Example

$75,000 salary, single, 5% state tax: Federal ≈ $8,900, FICA = $5,738, State = $3,750. Take-home ≈ $56,612/year or $4,718/month.

2024 FICA Rates

TaxRateCap
Social Security6.2%$168,600
Medicare1.45%No cap
Medicare Add'l0.9%>$200,000

Pro Tips

  • 401k contributions reduce taxable income
  • HSA contributions are triple tax-advantaged
  • Adjust W-4 withholding to avoid big refunds/bills
  • Some states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA, etc.)

Scenario Comparison: Take-Home Pay by State

$75K Salary (Single)Total TaxesTake-HomeEffective Rate
Texas (0% state)$14,498$60,50219.3%
Florida (0% state)$14,498$60,50219.3%
New York (~6% state)$18,998$56,00225.3%
California (~8% state)$20,498$54,50227.3%

*Includes federal tax + FICA (7.65%) + state tax

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Budgeting with gross income: Always budget with net (take-home) pay. A $75K salary is ~$56K-$60K after taxes depending on state. Using gross leads to overspending.
  • Forgetting FICA taxes: Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) = 7.65% off the top before income tax. This is $5,738 on $75K—a significant deduction.
  • Not maximizing pre-tax benefits: Every $1 in 401k saves 22-37¢ in taxes. $23K max contribution saves $5K-$8.5K in taxes while building retirement.
  • Ignoring W-4 adjustments: Life changes (marriage, kids, new job) require W-4 updates. Wrong withholding = big refund (lost money) or tax bill (penalty).

Paycheck Deductions Breakdown

Deduction TypeRate/AmountOn $75K SalaryNotes
Federal Income Tax10-37% (progressive)~$8,760After standard deduction
Social Security6.2% (up to $168,600)$4,650Caps at $10,453/year
Medicare1.45% (no cap)$1,088+0.9% over $200K
State Tax0-13%+ (varies)$0-$9,750TX, FL, WA = 0%

When to Use This Calculator vs Others

  • This calculator: Best for estimating actual take-home pay including all paycheck deductions (federal, FICA, state).
  • Income Tax Calculator: Use when you only need federal income tax estimates without FICA or state taxes.
  • Salary Calculator: Use for converting between pay periods (annual ↔ monthly ↔ hourly) without tax calculations.
  • Salary Increase Calculator: Use when evaluating a raise to see how much more you'll actually take home after taxes.

Related tools: 401k Calculator to reduce taxable income, Income Tax Calculator for detailed estimates, and Salary Increase Calculator for raise planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is paycheck tax calculated?

Take-Home = Gross - Federal Tax - FICA (7.65%) - State Tax. FICA = Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) + Medicare (1.45%). Federal tax based on brackets.

What percentage of paycheck goes to taxes?

Total tax rate is typically 25-35% of gross. FICA: 7.65%. Federal: 10-37% marginal. State: 0-13% depending on state. Some states (TX, FL, WA) have no income tax.

How to reduce taxes on paycheck?

Max 401k contributions ($23K/year), contribute to HSA, use FSA for dependent care. Pre-tax deductions lower taxable income. Adjust W-4 withholding to optimize.