Finance
Paycheck Calculator
Enter your gross pay, filing status, and pay frequency to estimate your federal take-home pay — after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, and any 401(k) contribution.
Quick answer: Take-home pay is your gross pay minus federal income tax, FICA (7.65% for Social Security and Medicare), and pre-tax deductions like a 401(k). On a $75,000 salary, federal take-home is roughly $58,000–$60,000 a year before state tax.
How it works
1. Start with gross and pre-tax deductions
Begin with your gross pay, then subtract pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, which lower your taxable income (but not your FICA).
2. Apply FICA and income tax
FICA takes 6.2% for Social Security (up to the wage base) and 1.45% for Medicare on your gross. Federal income tax applies to your pay after the standard deduction and pre-tax items, using the 2026 brackets.
3. Divide by your pay periods
Subtract income tax, FICA, and deductions from gross to get annual take-home, then divide by your number of pay periods (26 for bi-weekly, 24 for semi-monthly) for each paycheck.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my paycheck goes to taxes?
For a typical single earner, federal income tax plus FICA takes roughly 18–28% of gross pay, depending on income. FICA alone is 7.65%; income tax depends on your bracket. State tax is on top.
Why is my take-home so much less than my salary?
Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), any state tax, and pre-tax benefits (401k, health insurance) all come out before you see your check. Together they often total 25–35% of gross.
Does a 401(k) increase my take-home pay?
No — it lowers your take-home cash because the money goes into your retirement account, but it also lowers your income tax, so the net reduction is less than the amount contributed. The balance grows tax-deferred.