Where your paycheck actually goes
Your gross salary passes through several deductions before it reaches you. Pre-tax contributions (401(k), HSA) come out first and lower your taxable income — which is why they're so powerful. Then federal income tax is calculated on what's left, using progressive brackets: only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so a raise never costs you money overall. FICA — Social Security (6.2% up to a wage cap) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200k) — comes out regardless. Finally, most states take their cut.
This calculator applies the verified 2025 federal brackets, standard deduction, and FICA rates. State tax varies enormously — from zero in nine states to over 10% at the top in a few — so it's entered as a flat effective-rate estimate you control, rather than a fake per-state number.
Frequently asked
- Why is my take-home lower than salary ÷ 12?
- Because taxes and pre-tax deductions come out first. On a typical salary, federal tax, FICA, and state tax together often take 20–35% before anything else.
- How accurate is this?
- The federal and FICA math uses real 2025 figures and the standard deduction. It's a solid estimate, not a substitute for your actual pay stub — which also reflects your exact W-4, local taxes, and benefit elections.
- What state rate should I enter?
- Your effective (not top marginal) state rate. If you're in a no-income-tax state, enter 0. A few percent is typical for most states; check your last return or pay stub.