Last updated: October 20, 2026 · Tax year 2026

Methodology and sources

What the calculator does

1. Annual gross pay = salary, or hourly wage × hours per week × 52.
2. Federal taxable income = gross pay − pre-tax contributions − 2026 standard deduction. Tax is computed with the 2026 brackets for your filing status.
3. Social Security = 6.2% of gross pay up to $184,500. Medicare = 1.45% of gross pay, plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 married filing jointly). Pre-tax 401(k) contributions do not reduce these.
4. State tax = state rate × (gross pay − pre-tax contributions − state standard deduction − state personal exemptions).
5. Take-home pay = gross pay − pre-tax contributions − all of the above, divided by the number of pay periods.

Assumptions and limits

• Standard deduction only. No dependents, credits, itemized deductions, or extra W-4 withholding.
• Married filing jointly assumes one earner and two personal exemptions where a state gives them.
• Local taxes are not included.
• Employer withholding uses IRS payroll methods that can differ slightly from annual tax computed here.

Why only some states

We add a state only after checking its 2026 rate and deductions on the state tax agency's own site. States with graduated brackets or complex rules will be added one by one.

Federal sources

• IRS news release IR-2025-103: 2026 inflation adjustments
• IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 tax rate tables)
• SSA 2026 fact sheet: maximum taxable earnings $184,500
• SSA contribution and benefit base table (2026: $184,500)

State sources

Rates last checked October 2026.