US Tax Calculator 2026: take-home pay after federal and state tax

Enter your pay, filing status and state to see your 2026 federal and state income tax, Social Security, Medicare and take-home pay.

2026, federal only: choose your state above
	Year	Month	2 weeks
Gross pay	$60,000.00	$5,000.00	$2,307.69
Federal income tax	-$5,020.00	-$418.33	-$193.08
Social Security	-$3,720.00	-$310.00	-$143.08
Medicare	-$870.00	-$72.50	-$33.46
Take-home pay	$50,390.00	$4,199.17	$1,938.08

How US federal tax on your paycheck works

Your taxable income is your pay minus pre-tax deductions (like a 401(k)) and the standard deduction (or your itemized deductions). It's taxed in brackets, then credits such as the Child Tax Credit come off the tax. Separately, FICA takes 6.2% for Social Security on wages up to $184,500 and 1.45% for Medicare on all wages, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 ($250,000 for joint returns).

State income tax comes on top. Most states start from your federal adjusted gross income, take off their own standard deduction or personal exemptions and apply their own rates: flat in states like Illinois (4.95%) and Pennsylvania (3.07%), in brackets in states like California and New York. Nine states don't tax wages at all.

2026 federal income tax brackets (taxable income)
Rate	Single	Married filing jointly	Head of household
10%	$0+	$0+	$0+
12%	$12,400+	$24,800+	$17,700+
22%	$50,400+	$100,800+	$67,450+
24%	$105,700+	$211,400+	$105,700+
32%	$201,775+	$403,550+	$201,750+
35%	$256,225+	$512,450+	$256,200+
37%	$640,600+	$768,700+	$640,600+

Married filing separately uses the single brackets up to 35%, with 37% from $384,350.

Worked example: $60,000, single

Taxable income is $60,000 − $16,100 = $43,900. Tax is 10% of the first $12,400 ($1,240) plus 12% of the remaining $31,500 ($3,780): $5,020. Social Security is $3,720 and Medicare $870. Take-home pay is $50,390 a year, about $4,199 a month, before state tax. Each extra dollar earned costs 19.65% in federal tax and FICA.

Ways to lower your federal tax

Contribute to a 401(k) or 403(b): every dollar lowers taxable income (but not FICA). The 2026 limit is $24,500, plus catch-up amounts from age 50.
Pay health insurance, an HSA or an FSA through payroll: these also lower FICA.
Itemize if your mortgage interest, state and local taxes and donations add up to more than the standard deduction.

State paycheck calculators

Each state page shows that state's 2026 brackets, deductions and worked examples, with the calculator set to the state.

Working abroad? Compare with the UK or Canada tax calculators, or convert an offer with the currency converter.

Figures checked on 1 October 2026 against IRS 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), the IRS senior deduction guidance and SSA's 2026 wage base. State rules and their sources are on each state's page. An estimate, not tax advice.

Frequently asked questions

What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?

Seven rates: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. For a single filer they start at $0, $12,400, $50,400, $105,700, $201,775, $256,225 and $640,600 of taxable income; for married couples filing jointly at $0, $24,800, $100,800, $211,400, $403,550, $512,450 and $768,700. Each rate applies only to the income inside its bracket.

What is the standard deduction for 2026?

$16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household. People aged 65 or over (or blind) get $1,650 more each if married, or $2,050 if unmarried.

How does the new senior deduction work?

From 2025 to 2028, each person aged 65 or over can deduct another $6,000, whether or not they itemize. It shrinks by 6% of income over $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns) and isn't available if you're married filing separately.

Does it include state income tax?

Yes: choose your state to add its 2026 income tax, using that state's own brackets, standard deduction and exemptions for a resident employee. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming don't tax wages. City and county income taxes (for example in New York City, Maryland counties or Ohio cities) aren't included.

How much is the Child Tax Credit in 2026?

$2,200 for each child under 17. It starts to shrink above $200,000 of income ($400,000 joint). If it's more than your tax, up to $1,700 per child can be refunded, limited to 15% of your earnings over $2,500.