About the Paycheck Calculator 2026
Your paycheck is your gross pay minus pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, health premiums), federal income tax, FICA (Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45%) and, in most states, state income tax. This calculator uses the 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction published by the IRS (including the One Big Beautiful Bill changes), the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500 and current state rules.
Choose salary or hourly pay, your pay frequency and filing status, and see exactly where each dollar goes — per paycheck and per year — plus a table of take-home pay at different salaries.
How to use
- Pick Salary and enter your annual pay, or Hourly and enter your rate and hours per week.
- Choose how often you're paid, your filing status and your state.
- Add pre-tax deductions: your 401(k) percentage, yearly HSA contribution and health premiums per paycheck.
- If you claim children under 17 on your W-4, select how many. Your take-home pay per paycheck and per year updates instantly.
2026 federal income tax brackets and FICA
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 | $0 – $17,700 |
| 12% | – $50,400 | – $100,800 | – $67,450 |
| 22% | – $105,700 | – $211,400 | – $105,700 |
| 24% | – $201,775 | – $403,550 | – $201,750 |
| 32% | – $256,225 | – $512,450 | – $256,200 |
| 35% | – $640,600 | – $768,700 | – $640,600 |
| 37% | over $640,600 | over $768,700 | over $640,600 |
| Standard deduction | $16,100 | $32,200 | $24,150 |
Brackets apply to taxable income (wages minus pre-tax deductions minus the standard deduction). FICA: Social Security 6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages, Medicare 1.45% on all wages plus an extra 0.9% above $200,000 (single/head of household) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
$65,000 salary by state (single, paid every 2 weeks, 2026)
| State | State tax / yr | Take-home / yr | Per paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas, Florida (no tax) | $0 | $54,407.50 | $2,092.60 |
| Pennsylvania (3.07%) | $1,995.50 | $52,412.00 | $2,015.85 |
| North Carolina (3.99%) | $2,084.78 | $52,322.72 | $2,012.41 |
| Georgia (4.99%) | $2,495.00 | $51,912.50 | $1,996.63 |
| Illinois (4.95%) | $3,072.71 | $51,334.79 | $1,974.41 |
| New York (+ SDI/PFL) | $2,913.00 | $51,182.50 | $1,968.56 |
| California (+ SDI 1.3%) | $1,974.57 | $51,587.93 | $1,984.15 |
Every row pays the same federal income tax ($5,620) and FICA ($4,972.50). State tax is estimated from each state's 2026 rate and its own standard deduction or exemption; city and county taxes (New York City, Pennsylvania local EIT, Indiana counties, Ohio municipalities) are extra.
Sources
- IRS — Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 tax brackets, standard deduction) and 2026 401(k)/HSA limits
- Social Security Administration — Contribution and Benefit Base ($184,500 for 2026)
- IRS — Topic 560, Additional Medicare Tax; Publication 15-T
- Tax Foundation — State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026; state revenue departments (Georgia HB 463 and DOR guide June 2026, Utah SB 60, Arizona HB 4168, Ohio HB 96)
- California EDD — 2026 withholding schedules (DE 44) and SDI rate; FTB rate schedules
- New York State — 2026 Form IT-2105 instructions (rates, recapture, NYC tax), NY Workers' Compensation Board (2026 Paid Family Leave)
- Washington ESD — Paid Family & Medical Leave 2026 premium; WA Cares Fund
Results are estimates for a single job with no other income, not tax advice. Your W-4 choices, itemized deductions, credits and local taxes can change your actual paycheck.
FAQ
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes?
If you're single and live in a state with no income tax such as Texas or Florida, $65,000 leaves about $54,408 a year after $5,620 federal income tax and $4,972.50 Social Security and Medicare — $2,092.60 every two weeks. In California the same salary nets about $51,588 a year ($1,984.15 per biweekly check) after state tax and SDI.
Does a 401(k) contribution lower Social Security and Medicare tax?
No. Traditional 401(k) deferrals reduce federal (and most state) income tax, but they are still subject to Social Security and Medicare. HSA contributions and health premiums paid through a cafeteria (Section 125) plan avoid FICA too. Pennsylvania taxes 401(k) deferrals at the state level, and California and New Jersey tax HSA contributions.
Why is my actual paycheck slightly different?
Employers use IRS Publication 15-T and state withholding tables, which round and annualize each paycheck. Other items — local taxes, Roth contributions, extra withholding on your W-4, bonuses taxed at the 22% supplemental rate or the Social Security wage base being reached late in the year — also change individual checks.
What changed for 2026?
The standard deduction rose to $16,100 (single), $32,200 (married filing jointly) and $24,150 (head of household); bracket thresholds were adjusted for inflation; the child tax credit is $2,200 per child; and the Social Security wage base increased to $184,500. The 401(k) limit is $24,500.
Which states have no income tax on wages?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not tax wages. Washington does have payroll premiums for Paid Family & Medical Leave and the WA Cares long-term care fund.