How to calculate your take-home pay
Enter your gross pay for the selected pay period, your federal and state tax withholding rates, and the calculator subtracts federal tax, state tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) to show your net pay. The effective federal tax rate depends on your filing status and allowances — check your W-4 or last pay stub. State rates vary widely: from 0% (no income tax) to over 13% in high-tax states.
FICA rates (2024)
Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $168,600. Medicare: 1.45% on all wages (plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers). These rates are fixed by law. Your employer matches these amounts. Together, employee + employer FICA is 15.3% of wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my federal tax rate?
The withholding rate on your paycheck depends on your W-4 elections, not directly on your tax bracket. A common approach is to use your marginal federal tax bracket as a rough estimate: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, or 37% depending on your income and filing status.
Are other deductions included?
This calculator covers federal tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare — the most universal deductions. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA contributions reduce your taxable gross and would lower the effective rates. Add them to get a more accurate figure.