Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and paycheck deductions. Supports 2024 and 2025 federal tax brackets.
What Is a Paycheck Calculator?
A paycheck calculator helps you estimate how much money you will actually receive after all taxes and deductions are withheld from your gross pay. Every paycheck includes mandatory withholdings for federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus any state and local taxes. Many employees also have voluntary deductions like 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA or FSA elections. This calculator breaks down every component so you can see exactly where your money goes.
Understanding Your Pay Stub Deductions
Your pay stub lists several categories of withholdings. Federal income tax is calculated using progressive tax brackets — the more you earn, the higher rate you pay on your top dollars. For 2025, the brackets range from 10% to 37%. Your filing status (single, married, or head of household) determines which bracket thresholds apply to you. The standard deduction is subtracted from your gross income before the brackets are applied.
FICA taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. Social Security is taxed at 6.2% of your wages up to the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2025). Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, with an additional 0.9% surtax on earnings above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. Your employer matches these contributions, but only the employee share appears on your pay stub.
State income tax varies by state. Nine states have no income tax at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Other states use flat rates or progressive brackets. This calculator lets you enter your effective state rate as a percentage for a quick estimate.
2025 Federal Income Tax Brackets
These are the marginal tax rates for tax year 2025, applied to taxable income after the standard deduction. The calculator above uses these brackets automatically when you select 2025.
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 |
| 12% | $11,926 – $48,475 |
| 22% | $48,476 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,525 |
| 35% | $250,526 – $626,350 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 |
Standard deduction: $15,000
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $23,850 |
| 12% | $23,851 – $96,950 |
| 22% | $96,951 – $206,700 |
| 24% | $206,701 – $394,600 |
| 32% | $394,601 – $501,050 |
| 35% | $501,051 – $751,600 |
| 37% | Over $751,600 |
Standard deduction: $30,000
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 |
| 12% | $11,926 – $48,475 |
| 22% | $48,476 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,525 |
| 35% | $250,526 – $381,925 |
| 37% | Over $381,925 |
Standard deduction: $15,000
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $17,000 |
| 12% | $17,001 – $64,850 |
| 22% | $64,851 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,500 |
| 35% | $250,501 – $626,350 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 |
Standard deduction: $22,500
2024 Federal Income Tax Brackets
These are the marginal tax rates for tax year 2024. Select 2024 in the calculator above to use these brackets.
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,600 |
| 12% | $11,601 – $47,150 |
| 22% | $47,151 – $100,525 |
| 24% | $100,526 – $191,950 |
| 32% | $191,951 – $243,725 |
| 35% | $243,726 – $609,350 |
| 37% | Over $609,350 |
Standard deduction: $14,600
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $23,200 |
| 12% | $23,201 – $94,300 |
| 22% | $94,301 – $201,050 |
| 24% | $201,051 – $383,900 |
| 32% | $383,901 – $487,450 |
| 35% | $487,451 – $731,200 |
| 37% | Over $731,200 |
Standard deduction: $29,200
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,600 |
| 12% | $11,601 – $47,150 |
| 22% | $47,151 – $100,525 |
| 24% | $100,526 – $191,950 |
| 32% | $191,951 – $243,725 |
| 35% | $243,726 – $365,600 |
| 37% | Over $365,600 |
Standard deduction: $14,600
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $16,550 |
| 12% | $16,551 – $63,100 |
| 22% | $63,101 – $100,500 |
| 24% | $100,501 – $191,950 |
| 32% | $191,951 – $243,700 |
| 35% | $243,701 – $609,350 |
| 37% | Over $609,350 |
Standard deduction: $21,900
FICA Thresholds
| Tax | Rate | 2025 Threshold | 2024 Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.20% | $176,100 | $168,600 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages | All wages |
| Medicare Surtax | 0.90% | Over $200,000* | Over $200,000* |
*$200,000 for Single/Head of Household, $250,000 for Married Filing Jointly, $125,000 for Married Filing Separately.
How to Increase Your Take-Home Pay
Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, HSA contributions, and FSA elections reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated. Contributing 6% of your salary to a traditional 401(k) not only builds your retirement savings — it also lowers your tax bill, effectively costing you less than 6% of your gross pay. Health insurance premiums paid through your employer are also typically pre-tax, giving you a built-in tax advantage.
You can also review your W-4 form with your employer to adjust withholding. If you consistently receive a large tax refund, you may be over-withholding — reducing your withholding puts more money in each paycheck rather than waiting for a refund at tax time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a paycheck calculator?
A paycheck calculator estimates your net take-home pay by subtracting federal income tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any other deductions from your gross pay. It shows you what you will actually receive in each paycheck after all withholdings.
How is federal income tax calculated from my paycheck?
Federal income tax uses a progressive bracket system. Your taxable income (gross pay minus pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction) is divided into brackets, and each bracket is taxed at a different rate ranging from 10% to 37%. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate, not your entire income.
What are FICA taxes on my pay stub?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and includes two taxes: Social Security at 6.2% of your gross wages up to the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2025), and Medicare at 1.45% of all wages. High earners pay an additional 0.9% Medicare tax on wages over $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married filing jointly.
How can I increase my take-home pay?
You can increase take-home pay by maximizing pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, HSA contributions, and FSA elections. These reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated. You can also review your W-4 withholding allowances to make sure you are not over-withholding throughout the year.
Is this calculator accurate for my state?
This calculator uses a flat state tax rate that you enter manually. Most states use progressive brackets similar to the federal system, so the flat rate is an approximation. For a precise estimate, use your state effective tax rate (total state tax paid divided by taxable income). Nine states have no income tax at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.