US Paycheck Calculator 2026 — Free Online Tool

Texas has 0% state income tax. Texas residents pay only federal income tax (10-37%) + FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare). Select 'TX' in our 50-state calculator to see your exact take-home pay.

New Jersey has progressive state income tax brackets ranging from 1.4% (under $20,000) up to 10.75% for income over $1,000,000. Select 'NJ' in our calculator to model your net paycheck after NJ state tax.

Illinois uses a flat state income tax rate of 4.95% on net taxable income. Select 'IL' in our salary tax calculator to see your take-home pay after 4.95% flat state tax, federal tax, and FICA.

Georgia state income tax is a flat 5.39% rate in 2026. Select 'GA' in our calculator to get your net paycheck after Georgia state tax and federal deductions.

No, Florida has zero state income tax under the Florida Constitution. Like Texas, Florida residents pay only federal income tax and FICA (7.65%), maximizing net take-home pay.

NO, Texas does NOT have a state income tax in 2026 (or any year). The Texas Constitution, Article 8, Section 24, explicitly prohibits a state income tax. Texas is one of 9 states with no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (wages only, interest/dividends ended 2025), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Texas residents pay only federal income tax + FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%). For example, a Texas resident earning $75,000 pays ~$10,218 federal tax + $5,737.50 FICA = $15,955.50 total tax (21.3% effective rate), vs. a California resident earning the same who would pay $10,218 federal + ~$3,619 state + $5,737.50 FICA = $19,574.50 total (26.1% effective rate). Texas saves residents ~$3,619/year vs. California.

On a $75,000 salary in Texas (2026, single filer): 1) Federal Income Tax: $9,388 (using 2026 brackets: 10% on first $11,600, 12% on $11,600-$47,150, 22% on $47,150-$75,000, minus $16,100 standard deduction = $58,900 taxable), 2) Social Security: $4,650 (6.2% of $75,000), 3) Medicare: $1,087.50 (1.45% of $75,000), 4) State Income Tax: $0 (Texas has none!). Total deductions: $15,125.50 (~20.2% effective rate). Take-home: $59,874.50/year = $4,989.54/month or $2,494.77/biweekly.

FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) is a US payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare. Components: 1) Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the wage base limit ($184,500 in 2026), employee and employer each pay 6.2% (total 12.4%), 2) Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, no cap, employee and employer each pay 1.45% (total 2.9%), 3) Additional Medicare Tax: 0.9% on wages over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly), employee only, 4) Self-employment: Self-employed pay both halves = 15.3% total (12.4% SS up to wage base + 2.9% Medicare + 0.9% Additional Medicare). Example on $75,000: SS = $4,650, Medicare = $1,087.50, total FICA = $5,737.50 (7.65% effective). For $250,000: SS = $11,439 (6.2% of $184,500 cap), Medicare = $3,625 (1.45% × $250k), Additional Medicare = $450 (0.9% × $50k over threshold), total = $15,514 (6.2% effective, capped at SS wage base).

Federal income tax is calculated using progressive tax brackets (2026): 1) Determine gross annual income, 2) Subtract pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, FSA), 3) Subtract standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly) or itemized deductions (whichever is higher), 4) Get taxable income, 5) Apply progressive brackets: Single: 10% to $11,600, 12% to $47,150, 22% to $100,525, 24% to $191,950, 32% to $243,725, 35% to $609,350, 37% above. Married Filing Jointly: 10% to $23,200, 12% to $94,300, 22% to $201,050, 24% to $383,900, 32% to $487,450, 35% to $731,200, 37% above. 6) Calculate tax for each bracket portion, 7) Subtract tax credits (Child Tax Credit, EITC, education credits). 8) Divide annual tax by pay periods for per-paycheck withholding.

Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions (your full salary or hourly wage × hours). Net pay (take-home) is what you actually receive after all deductions. Deductions include: 1) PRE-TAX: 401(k) (typical 3-10% of salary), HSA ($0-$4,400/year), FSA ($0-$3,300), Commuter benefits ($315/month), Health insurance premiums. 2) TAXES: Federal income tax (10-37% progressive), State income tax (0-13.3%), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% additional on high earners). 3) POST-TAX: Health insurance (employee share), Dental/vision, Life insurance, Roth 401(k).

401(k) contribution strategy: 1) ENOUGH FOR FULL EMPLOYER MATCH: If employer matches 50% up to 6% of salary, contribute at least 6% to capture match on salary. 2) IDEAL RANGE: 10-15% of gross income. 3) MAX OUT: $24,500 in 2026 ($32,500 if 50+ with catch-up, $35,750 for ages 60-63 under SECURE 2.0). Tax savings: At 22% bracket, $24,500 contribution saves $5,390 federal tax + state tax savings.

Paycheck breakdown example ($75,000 annual, biweekly, Texas, single): GROSS PAY = $2,884.62 (biweekly). Pre-tax deductions: 401(k) 5% = $144.23, Health insurance = $150, Total pre-tax = $294.23. Taxable gross = $2,590.39. Federal income tax = $372.29, Social Security = $178.85, Medicare = $41.83, Total FICA = $220.68. Texas state income tax = $0. Post-tax deductions: Roth 401(k) = $0, Dental = $20. NET PAY (take-home) = $2,191.70.

W-4 (Employee's Withholding Certificate) filling guide 2026: 1) Personal info: Name, address, SSN, filing status (Single/MFJ/MFS/HoH). 2) Multiple jobs or spouse works: Use IRS Tax Withholding Estimator (irs.gov/W4app) for accurate withholding. 3) Claim dependents: Number of dependents under 17 (qualify for Child Tax Credit $2,000 each), other dependents. 4) Other adjustments: Other income, deductions exceeding standard deduction, extra withholding. 5) Sign and date.

Form W-4 (Employee's Withholding Certificate) tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck. Step 1: Personal info, Step 2: Multiple jobs, Step 3: Claim dependents ($2,000 Child Tax Credit each), Step 4: Other adjustments, Step 5: Sign.

Common reasons for variable paychecks: 1) PAY FREQUENCY: Bi-weekly has 26 pay periods with 3-paycheck months, 2) OVERTIME: Hours > 40/week paid at 1.5x, 3) COMMISSIONS/BONUSES, 4) PRE-TAX DEDUCTION CHANGES, 5) BENEFIT CHANGES, 6) SOCIAL SECURITY WAGE BASE: Once YTD earnings exceed $184,500 (2026), SS tax stops being withheld, increasing take-home pay.

Hourly to annual conversion: Standard full-time: Hourly × 2,080 (40 hrs × 52 wks). Example: $25/hr × 2,080 = $52,000/year.

Gross income = ALL income from all sources. AGI = Gross income - Adjustments (IRA, HSA, student loan interest). Taxable income = AGI - Standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 MFJ in 2026). Tax = Progressive brackets applied to taxable income.

US state income tax comparison 2026: 9 states with NO state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (wages), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. 41 states + DC with state income tax. TOP RATES: California 13.3% (highest), Hawaii 11%, Oregon 9.9%, Minnesota 9.85%, DC 9.75%, New York 10.9%, New Jersey 10.75%. LOWEST TOP RATES: Arizona 2.5%, North Dakota 2.9%. NO-SALT-TAX states: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. SALT DEDUCTION CAP: Federal deduction for state/local taxes capped at $10,000 (since 2017 TCJA). Examples $75,000 single: TX/FL/WA = $0 state tax, CA = $3,619, NY = $4,193, IL (flat 4.95%) = $3,712, PA (flat 3.07%) = $2,302. When choosing where to live: High-tax states (CA, NY, NJ) have better public services, no-tax states (TX, FL, WA) have more take-home but rely on property/sales tax. Best overall: Washington, Texas, Florida for income tax savings; Tennessee, Nevada for total tax burden.

Texas Margin Tax (Franchise Tax) explanation: Despite no state personal income tax, Texas DOES have the 'Margin Tax' (Texas Franchise Tax, Chapter 171 of Texas Tax Code), BUT it only applies to BUSINESSES, not individuals. Details: 1) Applies to: Texas-based LLCs, corporations, partnerships with $2.47+ million annual revenue (2026 threshold). 2) Rate: 0.375% (retail/wholesale) or 0.75% (other businesses) of taxable margin (revenue minus COGS or compensation). 3) Applies to: ~600,000 Texas businesses. 4) Does NOT apply to: Sole proprietors (you report on personal return if applicable), S-corps taxed as individuals, pass-through entities, businesses under revenue threshold. 5) For employees: ZERO direct impact — your W-2 won't have Texas state income tax withholding. 6) For business owners: must file franchise tax report (typically form 05-158-A) annually with Texas Comptroller. 7) Penalties: $50-$10,000 for non-filing. So if you're a W-2 employee in Texas, you genuinely pay no state tax. If you own a Texas business over the threshold, you file franchise tax separately.