How this paycheck calculator works
It follows the same steps your employer's payroll system does. Federal income tax uses the IRS percentage method from Publication 15-T for 2026, based on the answers on your W-4. Social Security is 6.2% of your pay up to $184,500 a year, and Medicare is 1.45%, plus 0.9% on pay over $200,000.
State income tax uses each state's 2026 rates, standard deduction and exemptions. It also includes the payroll deductions some states require for disability and paid family leave, such as California SDI, New York Paid Family Leave and Washington Paid Leave. Pre-tax benefits like a traditional 401(k), health insurance and an HSA are taken out before taxes, the way they are on a real paycheck.
No tax on tips and overtime
Starting with 2025 tax returns, you can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips and the extra "half" of time-and-a-half overtime, up to $12,500 ($25,000 if married filing jointly). Social Security and Medicare still apply. If you update your W-4 to claim it, less federal tax comes out of each check. If you don't, you'll get it back as part of your refund instead.
Why your real paycheck might be a little different
Employers round, some use slightly different state withholding tables, and benefits like life insurance or union dues aren't included here. Most results land within a few dollars of a real pay stub. If yours is far off, compare the lines one by one to find the difference.
Sources
Last checked October 2026. Amounts change every year.
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026) · Federal income tax withholding tables
- The Tax Adviser · 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- Tax Foundation · 2026 state income tax rates, deductions and exemptions
- California EDD · 2026 California SDI rate
- New York DFS · 2026 Paid Family Leave rate
- New Jersey Department of Labor · 2026 worker payroll rates
- Washington Paid Leave · 2026 premium rate
- Rhode Island DLT · 2026 TDI rate
- Hawaii DLIR · 2026 TDI wage base
- Alaska Department of Labor · 2026 worker unemployment rate
- Clockspot · 2026 paid leave rates in other states