Paycheck Take-Home Calculator (2026)
See what actually lands in your bank account after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, 401(k), and state tax.
How this calculator works
Your paycheck goes through several deductions before it hits your bank account:
- Pre-tax 401(k): comes off the top before federal tax is calculated, but Social Security and Medicare still apply to the full amount.
- Federal income tax: calculated using the 2026 marginal tax brackets and standard deduction for your filing status (no itemizing or other credits modeled).
- Social Security (6.2%): applies up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.
- Medicare (1.45%): applies to all wages, with an extra 0.9% on income above $200,000 (single/head of household) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
- State income tax: if you're in a no-income-tax state like Florida or Texas, this is $0. Otherwise, enter your state's approximate flat rate.
Worked example
Single filer in Florida (no state income tax), no 401(k), paid monthly, 2026 numbers:
| Gross salary | Take-home / month |
|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,860 |
| $60,000 | $4,199 |
| $100,000 | $6,598 |
Frequently asked questions
Why is my real paycheck different from this estimate?
This models withholding-style federal/FICA/state tax only, with the standard deduction and no other credits (child tax credit, EITC, itemized deductions, HSA, etc.). Your actual refund or balance due at tax time can differ.
Does the 401(k) percentage reduce my Social Security tax?
No. Traditional (pre-tax) 401(k) contributions lower your federal taxable wages but not your Social Security or Medicare wages. Both still apply to your full gross pay.
What if my state has its own tax brackets instead of a flat rate?
Most states with an income tax use brackets, not a single flat rate. Enter your approximate effective rate (total state tax divided by income) for a rough estimate, or check your state's withholding tables for an exact number.
Where do the 2026 numbers come from?
Federal brackets and the standard deduction are from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (the official 2026 inflation adjustments). Social Security's wage base and rates are from the SSA's 2026 COLA fact sheet.
Is Roth 401(k) the same as what this models?
No. This models a traditional (pre-tax) 401(k), which lowers your federal taxable income now. A Roth 401(k) contribution is made with after-tax money and doesn't reduce your current federal tax.
Assumptions & sources
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (Oct. 9/17, 2025): 2026 standard deduction and marginal brackets by filing status. irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-32.pdf
- SSA 2026 COLA Fact Sheet: Social Security wage base $184,500, employee rate 6.2%; Medicare employee rate 1.45%, no wage cap. ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2026.html
- Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%) thresholds: $200,000 (single/HOH), $250,000 (married filing jointly), per IRS Additional Medicare Tax guidance.
- No itemized deductions, credits, HSA, or other pre-tax benefits modeled besides the 401(k) field.
Educational estimates, not financial advice.