U.S. Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home paycheck after federal income-tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare and the deductions you enter.
Advanced W-4 settings
Use these fields when they appear on your 2026 Form W-4. Leave them at the defaults for a basic estimate.
Add paycheck deductions
Enter each deduction once per paycheck in the category matching its actual tax treatment under your employer's plan.
Add year-to-date wages
Optional. Enter taxable wages already paid by this employer during 2026 before this paycheck. These values help estimate Social Security wage-base and Additional Medicare threshold effects.
Assumptions used
This is an estimate of payroll withholding, not a calculation of your final federal income-tax liability or tax refund.
How the 2026 U.S. paycheck estimate works
The calculator annualizes wages based on your selected pay frequency and estimates federal income-tax withholding using the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T automated percentage method for a Form W-4 from 2020 or later.
It separately estimates employee Social Security and Medicare withholding. Federal income-tax withholding is not the same as your final annual income-tax liability because your tax return can include other income, deductions, credits, payments and circumstances not modeled here.
What does W-4 Step 2 mean?
Step 2 addresses certain multiple-job or working-spouse situations. Checking Step 2(c) changes the federal withholding calculation. Use the option here only when it corresponds to your actual W-4.
Why can my actual paycheck differ?
Actual payroll can differ because of payroll rounding, bonuses, commissions, taxable benefits, retirement and health benefits, employer payroll configuration, state and local taxes, additional withholding and other circumstances. When entered, prior 2026 Social Security and Medicare wages are used for applicable FICA threshold calculations.
Sources and methodology
Federal withholding methodology is based on the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T. Social Security and Medicare calculations use applicable federal payroll-tax rules and the 2026 Social Security wage base. MoneyInNumbers is an independent educational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS, Social Security Administration, or any other government agency.
Related: Salary to hourly calculator
Educational and informational estimate only. This calculator provides general estimates and is not individualized tax, legal, financial, payroll or accounting advice. It does not prepare a tax return, determine eligibility for tax benefits, or guarantee your actual withholding, paycheck, tax liability or refund. Tax laws, payroll practices, benefits, state and local rules and your individual circumstances can change the result. Verify important payroll and tax decisions using official government guidance, your actual pay statement and, when appropriate, a qualified professional.