Estimate your take-home pay per paycheck in the US for 2026. Enter your salary, pay frequency and filing status to see federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state tax and 401(k) deductions, per paycheck and per year.
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What comes out of your paycheck
- Federal income tax: worked out on your pay after pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household in 2026), using the 10% to 37% brackets.
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples).
- State and local tax: varies widely. Nine states have no tax on wages, including Texas, Florida and Washington.
- Pre-tax deductions: 401(k), health insurance, HSA and FSA contributions cut your taxable income.
2026 federal tax brackets
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Up to $12,400 | Up to $24,800 |
| 12% | $12,401–$50,400 | $24,801–$100,800 |
| 22% | $50,401–$105,700 | $100,801–$211,400 |
| 24% | $105,701–$201,775 | $211,401–$403,550 |
| 32% | $201,776–$256,225 | $403,551–$512,450 |
| 35% | $256,226–$640,600 | $512,451–$768,700 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 |
Worked examples
1. $75,000, single, paid every two weeks
With 5% going into a 401(k), taxable income is $75,000 − $3,750 − $16,100 = $55,150. Federal tax is $6,845, Social Security $4,650 and Medicare $1,087.50. In a state with no income tax, take-home is $58,667.50 a year, or $2,256.44 per paycheck.
2. Why a raise never lowers your take-home
Moving into a higher bracket only taxes the dollars above the threshold at the higher rate. A single filer earning $1,000 more than the 22% threshold pays 22% on that $1,000, not on all their income.
3. The effect of a bigger 401(k) contribution
Raising the 401(k) from 5% to 10% on $75,000 puts $3,750 more into retirement savings but cuts take-home pay by only about $2,925, because the money isn’t taxed at 22% federal now.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
$184,500. Wages above that aren’t subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax.
Why is my real paycheck different?
Your W-4 choices, credits such as the Child Tax Credit, bonuses, local taxes and benefit deductions all change withholding. Use this as an estimate.
How do I find my state tax rate?
Check your state’s revenue department. For states with brackets, using your top rate overstates tax slightly; using a rate a little lower gives a closer estimate.
Sources
- CPA Practice Advisor: IRS adjusts tax brackets and standard deduction for 2026
- SSA: Contribution and benefit base
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