US federal · 2026

Paycheck Calculator

Estimate federal withholding, Social Security, Medicare, deductions, and take-home pay.

Rules reviewed November 7, 2026 · Educational estimate

Estimated net pay

$3,455

Annualized $82,913

Federal income tax$688

Social Security$298

Medicare$70

Additional Medicare$0

State/local estimate$240

Total deductions$1,545

Uses the 2026 IRS automated percentage method for a 2020-or-later Form W-4 with Step 2 unchecked. State/local tax is a user-entered estimate. Special wage, nonresident, benefit, and employer payroll rules are excluded.

Official sources

Federal withholding follows IRS Publication 15-T (2026). Social Security and Medicare use IRS Topic 751, including the $184,500 Social Security wage base.

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Planning guide

Read the complete guide →

Understand this estimate before using it

Quick answer

What does the Paycheck Calculator do?

Estimate 2026 federal withholding, FICA, deductions, and net pay. It annualizes the pay-period inputs for the 2026 federal withholding method, calculates FICA, and subtracts deductions and taxes from gross pay.

Formula and calculation method

It annualizes the pay-period inputs for the 2026 federal withholding method, calculates FICA, and subtracts deductions and taxes from gross pay.

The result is only as reliable as the inputs. Use current balances, rates, fees, dates, and documents; then change uncertain assumptions to see whether the conclusion remains stable.

How to interpret the result

Treat the output as a comparison or planning range, not a quote, approval, eligibility decision, tax return, or prediction. Review the breakdown—not only its headline number—and read every stated exclusion.

For current background, review IRS tax information. Product documents and official program tools control when they differ from this educational model.

Worked scenario

Put the result in context

If taxable income crosses a bracket threshold, only the portion above that threshold is taxed at the next marginal rate. Do not multiply all income by the highest displayed bracket rate or treat withholding as final tax.

This scenario illustrates the method; it is not a quote, forecast, recommendation, or substitute for entering your actual facts.

Before you calculate

Gather current information before changing the defaults. A result based on verified records is more useful than a precise answer built from guesses.

gross pay and pay periods

Check the date, unit, and source of this input before entering it.

pre-tax deductions

Check the date, unit, and source of this input before entering it.

filing status and W-4 entries

Check the date, unit, and source of this input before entering it.

state or local tax rate

Check the date, unit, and source of this input before entering it.

What the result can answer

It can show how the entered assumptions interact, provide a consistent comparison, and reveal whether changing one important input materially changes the estimate.

What the result cannot decide

It cannot confirm approval, eligibility, market pricing, future performance, legal or tax treatment, contract quality, or whether the choice fits every part of your finances.

A practical next-step workflow

01 · Verify
Compare the inputs with current statements, quotes, official rules, and product documents.
02 · Stress-test
Run a second case with a less favorable value for state or local tax rate.
03 · Confirm
Compare the result with an actual pay stub, and if they differ materially check your W-4 entries with your employer before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Do the calculators include state tax?

Only when a page explicitly asks for a state or local rate. Most tax tools focus on the stated federal calculation.

How current are the annual figures?

Time-sensitive pages display an applicable year and review date and link to the primary official source.

What can make this estimate differ from an actual result?

Timing, rounding, rate changes, fees, taxes, eligibility rules, product conventions, and facts not requested by this focused calculator can all create differences.

Which inputs deserve a second scenario?

Retest any input that is quoted rather than fixed, depends on future behavior, or materially changes the result. Conservative and optimistic cases reveal more than false precision.

What should I verify before making a decision?

Verify current statements, disclosures, official rules, taxes, fees, cancellation or prepayment terms, and the consequences of a less favorable outcome.

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Prepared by Loan Lyze Editorial and reviewed under the Loan Lyze editorial framework on November 8, 2026. Educational estimate only. See our methodology, editorial policy, and corrections policy.

Estimate a 2026 paycheck

Official sources