Take-Home Pay Calculator (2026)
Enter your salary and a few details. See how much you take home each paycheck after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and your 401(k).
What we noticed
Year by year
How this calculator works
We start with your pay, then take off what you put in a 401(k) and any pre-tax health costs. From what is left we take the standard deduction and work out federal income tax using the 2026 tax brackets for your filing status. Each bracket only taxes the slice of income inside it.
Social Security tax is 6.2% on pay up to $184,500. Medicare is 1.45% on all pay, plus 0.9% on pay above $200,000 ($250,000 if you file jointly). Your 401(k) lowers your income tax, but not Social Security or Medicare. Health benefits taken before tax lower all of them.
State and local income tax is an estimate from the rate you enter. This leaves out tax credits such as the child tax credit, extra deductions such as those for people 65 and over, itemised deductions and other income, so your pay stub is the final word. Employers start withholding the extra 0.9% Medicare tax at $200,000 for everyone, so a high earner's paycheck can be lower than this estimate until they file. It is not tax advice.
2026 federal figures used
| Standard deduction | Single $16,100, married filing jointly $32,200, head of household $24,150 |
|---|---|
| Tax rates | 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37% |
| Social Security | 6.2% on pay up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 if filing jointly) |
| Standard 401(k) limit | $24,500, and more with catch-up contributions at 50 and over |
Sources: IRS: 2026 tax inflation adjustments, IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 tax tables), IRS: Social Security and Medicare withholding rates, IRS: Additional Medicare Tax
Frequently asked questions
How much of my salary do I keep?
It depends on your pay, filing status, 401(k), benefits and state. A single person earning $100,000 with nothing else taken out keeps about $79,000 after federal tax, Social Security and Medicare.
Why is my paycheck lower than I expected?
Federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, state tax, health insurance and 401(k) all come out. Our table shows each one so you can see where your pay goes.
Does a 401(k) lower my taxes?
A traditional 401(k) lowers your income tax now, because the money is taken before federal income tax. It does not lower Social Security or Medicare tax.
What is a tax bracket?
It is a slice of income taxed at one rate. Only the income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so moving into a higher bracket does not tax all your income at the higher rate.
Does this include state tax?
Only as an estimate from the rate you enter. States and cities differ, so check your own.