Take-Home Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your net paycheck after federal tax, FICA, and 401(k) deductions. Weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Free, privacy-first — inputs never leave your browser.
Paycheck Details
Take-Home
Per 2 weeks
$2,480
Annual Gross
$85,000
Federal Tax
$9,025
Social Security
$5,270
Medicare
$1,233
401(k)
$5,000
Annual Take-Home
$64,473
For estimation only. Not professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions. Full disclaimer.
What is take-home pay?
Take-home pay is your salary minus federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100), Medicare (1.45%), any state tax, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance. For most single earners, take-home ranges from 65-75% of gross.
How to increase your take-home
- Move to a no-income-tax state (TX, FL, NV, WA, TN) — saves 5-13% in state tax
- Max out pre-tax 401(k) — reduces federal taxable income
- Use HSA if eligible — triple tax advantage (pre-tax in, tax-free growth, tax-free qualified withdrawals)
- Adjust W-4 withholding — if you routinely get big refunds, you\'re loaning the IRS money interest-free
Common questions about Paycheck
Why is my take-home so much less than my salary?+
Federal income tax (10-37% progressive), Social Security (6.2% up to $176k), Medicare (1.45%), plus state tax if applicable (0% in TX/FL/TN, 13%+ in CA/NY). A $100k single salary typically yields $70-75k take-home federally, less after state.
How does a 401(k) contribution affect take-home?+
Pre-tax 401(k) reduces your federal taxable income by the contribution amount but also reduces take-home by the full contribution. Net effect on paycheck: contribution × (1 - marginal tax rate). Example: $1000 contribution at 22% bracket = $780 reduction in paycheck.
What are typical payroll deductions beyond federal tax?+
FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%) = 7.65% mandatory. State income tax varies: 0% (TX, FL, WA, NV, TN, SD, WY, AK), up to 13.3% (CA top bracket), 10.9% (NY), 9.85% (MN). Local/city tax in NYC (3.876%), Philly (3.75%), Detroit. Health insurance premium ($100-$500/month employee share). 401(k) contribution (whatever you elect). HSA/FSA (if enrolled). Union dues, garnishments if applicable.
How does W-4 withholding work?+
Post-2020 W-4 uses a simpler worksheet — you no longer claim "allowances". Enter: (a) filing status, (b) multiple jobs/spouse works, (c) dependents for CTC, (d) other income not from jobs, (e) deductions claim. Employers use IRS Publication 15-T formulas to compute withholding per paycheck. Too much withheld = big refund (interest-free loan to IRS); too little = owe tax + possible underpayment penalty. Aim for small refund ($500-$1000) or small owe.
How do bonuses get taxed differently?+
Supplemental wages (bonuses, commissions, severance) have a flat 22% federal withholding if under $1M; 37% above $1M. This is WITHHOLDING, not the final tax — your actual tax is computed on total annual income at your marginal rate. If your bracket is lower than 22%, you'll get a refund; if higher, you'll owe additional tax. State withholding on bonuses also flat (varies by state). FICA still applies to bonuses, subject to SS wage base cap.
Can I change my take-home without changing my salary?+
Yes — adjust 401(k) % (higher = lower take-home now, more retirement wealth), contribute to HSA if on HDHP (triple tax advantage, saves ~30-40% on contribution), enroll in pre-tax FSA for childcare/health, adjust W-4 withholding closer to actual tax owed. Small changes compound: increasing 401(k) from 6% to 10% of $100k salary drops take-home ~$300/month but builds $400k+ extra retirement corpus over 20 years.