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How much of your salary will actually land in your bank account in 2026? Our free US paycheck calculator estimates your federal income tax and FICA payroll taxes, then shows your take-home pay per year, per paycheck and per month — for single, married filing jointly, and head of household filers.
How the US paycheck calculator works
Enter your gross annual salary, choose your federal filing status and pick how often you are paid. The calculator subtracts the 2026 standard deduction, applies the IRS marginal tax brackets to the remainder, then deducts FICA payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare). The result is divided by your number of pay periods to show each paycheck.
2026 federal income tax brackets
The IRS adjusts brackets for inflation each year. These are the confirmed 2026 brackets (Revenue Procedure 2025-32):
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | Up to $12,400 | Up to $24,800 | Up to $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,401–$50,400 | $24,801–$100,800 | $17,701–$67,450 |
| 22% | $50,401–$105,700 | $100,801–$211,400 | $67,451–$105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701–$201,775 | $211,401–$403,550 | $105,701–$201,775 |
| 32% | $201,776–$256,225 | $403,551–$512,450 | $201,776–$256,200 |
| 35% | $256,226–$640,600 | $512,451–$768,700 | $256,201–$640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 |
2026 standard deduction
Before brackets are applied, most taxpayers subtract the standard deduction: $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household in 2026. That means a single filer earning $80,000 is only taxed on $63,900 of income.
How federal income tax is calculated
Like the UK system, US federal tax is marginal — each rate applies only to the slice of taxable income inside its bracket. Take a single filer with $63,900 of taxable income: 10% on the first $12,400 ($1,240), 12% on the next $38,000 ($4,560), and 22% on the final $13,500 ($2,970), for a total federal tax of $8,770. The effective rate is about 13.7% of taxable income, even though the top slice is taxed at 22%.
FICA: Social Security and Medicare
FICA payroll taxes are separate from income tax and apply from the first dollar you earn:
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500. Earnings above that are not subject to Social Security tax.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, with no cap. High earners pay an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
Understanding pay frequencies
American employers pay on different schedules, and the calculator handles the five most common. Weekly pay gives you 52 paychecks a year, while biweekly — the most popular schedule in the US — gives you 26. Semi-monthly means twice a month (24 paychecks, usually on the 15th and the last day), and monthly means 12. If you are paid biweekly, you will notice two months each year with three paychecks instead of two. That is a quirk of the calendar, not a bonus: your annual salary is simply split into 26 equal parts. Your effective tax rate does not change with pay frequency; only the size and timing of each paycheck does.
What this calculator doesn’t include
To keep the results honest, here is what the calculator leaves out. State and local income taxes can add anything from zero in states like Texas and Florida to over 10% of your income in California or New York City, so your real take-home could be lower. Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums and HSA contributions also reduce both your taxable income and your paycheck, but they vary by employer. Tax credits — for example the Child Tax Credit — can reduce your federal bill when you file. The calculator shows your gross federal position; your actual pay stub will also reflect your W-4 elections and benefits.
Worked example: $80,000 salary, single, paid biweekly
- Taxable income: $80,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $63,900
- Federal income tax: $1,240 + $4,560 + $2,970 = $8,770.00
- FICA: Social Security 6.2% × $80,000 = $4,960; Medicare 1.45% × $80,000 = $1,160; total $6,120.00
- Take-home pay: $80,000 − $8,770 − $6,120 = $65,110.00 a year
- Biweekly paycheck: $2,504.23 · Monthly: $5,425.83
US paycheck FAQs
What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?
For 2026, single filers pay 10% up to $12,400, 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775, 32% to $256,225, 35% to $640,600, and 37% above that. Married couples filing jointly get brackets roughly double the single amounts. The IRS published these in Revenue Procedure 2025-32.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household. You subtract it from your income before the tax brackets are applied.
Does this calculator include state taxes?
No. This calculator covers federal income tax and FICA payroll taxes only. State and local income taxes vary enormously – some states have no income tax at all, while others add several percentage points – so check your state’s own figures for the full picture.
What is FICA tax?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds Social Security (6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% extra above $200,000 for single filers). Your employer matches these amounts separately.
How is my per-paycheck amount calculated?
Your estimated annual take-home pay is divided by the number of pay periods in your frequency: 52 for weekly, 26 for biweekly, 24 for semi-monthly, 12 for monthly, or 1 for annual. Real paychecks can differ slightly because of how employers annualize withholding.
What is the additional Medicare tax?
High earners pay an extra 0.9% Medicare tax on wages above $200,000 (single or head of household) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Unlike the base 1.45%, employers do not match this surcharge. The calculator includes it automatically when your salary crosses the threshold.
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