What comes out of a paycheck
Four things are deducted from nearly every paycheck in the United States. Federal income tax is calculated on your taxable income using progressive brackets — only the dollars inside each bracket are taxed at that bracket's rate. Social Security takes 6.2% of wages up to an annual cap ($184,500 in 2026). Medicare takes 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 married). State income tax applies in 41 states; nine have none.
Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions, HSA deposits and employer health premiums reduce your federal and state taxable income (401(k) contributions don't reduce Social Security or Medicare). That's why a $200 401(k) contribution lowers your take-home by less than $200.
2026 federal tax brackets
For single filers in 2026 the brackets are 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. Married couples filing jointly have roughly double thresholds. The standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for joint filers, so the first chunk of income isn't taxed at all.
A single person earning $75,000 with no other deductions has $58,900 in taxable income and owes about $7,930 in federal income tax — an effective federal rate near 10.6%, even though their top marginal bracket is 22%. The distinction between marginal and effective rate is the most common source of paycheck confusion.
Why your real paycheck may differ
Your employer withholds based on your Form W-4, which may not match the final tax you owe. Dependents, the child tax credit, itemized deductions, a working spouse, bonuses, and local taxes (New York City, Philadelphia and others) all move the number. Use this calculator for a close estimate and planning; use your actual pay stub to reconcile.
Common mistakes this calculator helps you avoid
- ✕Confusing marginal and effective rates. Being in the 22% bracket does not mean 22% of your pay goes to federal tax; the effective rate at $75,000 is about 10%.
- ✕Forgetting local taxes. New York City, Philadelphia, Ohio and Indiana localities, and Maryland counties add a line most calculators omit.
- ✕Ignoring pre-tax benefits. 401(k), HSA and health premiums reduce taxable income; enter them or the estimate overstates your tax.
- ✕Assuming withholding equals tax owed. Withholding follows your W-4; the calculator estimates the tax itself, which is what you settle at filing.
- ✕Comparing offers on gross alone. A higher salary in a high-tax state can net less than a lower one in Texas or Florida — compare take-home.
Key terms
- Gross pay
- Total earnings before any deductions.
- Net pay
- Take-home pay after taxes and deductions — what actually lands in your account.
- FICA
- The combined 7.65% Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) payroll tax on wages.
- Standard deduction
- Income exempt from federal income tax before brackets apply: $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly in 2026.
- W-4
- The IRS form telling your employer how much federal tax to withhold; it affects paycheck timing, not the tax ultimately owed.
Frequently asked questions
+How much is taken out of a $75,000 salary?
For a single filer in 2026 with no pre-tax deductions and no state tax: roughly $7,930 federal income tax, $4,650 Social Security and $1,088 Medicare, leaving about $61,300 a year, or $2,358 every two weeks. Add your state's rate above for a fuller picture.
+Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Washington taxes capital gains above a threshold and New Hampshire has phased out its interest-and-dividends tax.
+What's the difference between biweekly and semimonthly pay?
Biweekly is every two weeks (26 paychecks a year, two months have three). Semimonthly is twice a month (24 paychecks, usually the 15th and last day). Same yearly total, but biweekly checks are slightly smaller.
+Does the calculator handle hourly pay?
Multiply your hourly rate by your annual hours (40 hours × 52 weeks = 2,080 for full time) and enter that as the salary. Overtime and variable hours won't be reflected.
+Is Social Security tax capped?
Yes. In 2026 you pay 6.2% only on the first $184,500 of wages. Once you pass that during the year, your paychecks get larger for the rest of the year. Medicare has no cap.