Take-home pay is your gross income minus federal income tax, FICA (Social Security + Medicare), state income tax, and pre-tax deductions. This calculator applies 2026 federal tax brackets, the OBBBA-updated standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 joint), and all 50 state tax laws to show your exact net paycheck by week, month, or year.
2026 Take-Home Pay Calculator
Calculate your exact paycheck after federal, state, and FICA taxes. Compare take-home pay between any two states to see the true cost of your next move.
How Take-Home Pay Is Calculated
Your net paycheck is calculated by applying the U.S. progressive marginal tax bracket system to your taxable income (gross pay minus standard deduction), then subtracting FICA and state taxes separately.
| 2026 Federal Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,925 | 10% |
| $11,926 – $48,475 | 12% |
| $48,476 – $103,350 | 22% |
| $103,351 – $197,300 | 24% |
| $197,301+ | 32–37% |
These are marginal rates — only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. Your effective tax rate will always be lower than your marginal rate. The 2026 OBBBA standard deduction ($16,100 single) reduces your taxable income before any bracket calculation begins.
⚠️ Expert Pro-Tip
Max your 401(k) before comparing states. A $23,000 annual 401(k) contribution (2026 limit) reduces your federal taxable income by $23,000 — saving roughly $5,060 in federal tax at the 22% bracket. In a high-tax state like California, that same contribution saves an additional $2,139 in state tax. Run the calculator with and without max contributions to see the true after-tax cost of not participating.
Your Income Profile
Deductions & Credits (2026)
Your Paycheck
Taxes Withheld
Effective tax rate: 21.0%
2026 Take-Home Pay at Common Income Levels
Estimates below are for a single filer with no additional deductions or credits, showing the net annual take-home after all federal, FICA, and state taxes.
| State | $50k Gross | $100k Gross | $200k Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (No Tax) | $42,346 | $78,978 | $148,678 |
| Florida (No Tax) | $42,346 | $78,978 | $148,678 |
| Arizona (2.5% Flat) | $41,096 | $76,478 | $143,678 |
| North Carolina (3.99% Flat) | $40,351 | $74,988 | $140,698 |
| California (1%–12.3%) | $41,044 | $73,524 | $133,924 |
| New York (4%–10.9%) | $40,102 | $73,796 | $137,526 |
Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 Income Taxes & the OBBBA
What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and how does it affect my 2026 taxes?
The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) was signed into law in early 2026 and made several significant changes to the federal tax code. Most notably for individual filers, it increased the standard deduction amounts, reducing the amount of your income subject to federal tax. For 2026, the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household. This is a direct reduction compared to the pre-OBBBA figures.
What is FICA and why is it deducted from my paycheck?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds two major federal programs: Social Security and Medicare. Your employer deducts 6.2% of your wages (up to a $178,000 wage base in 2026) for Social Security, and 1.45% of all wages for Medicare. If you earn over $200,000, an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies. Self-employed individuals pay both the employee and employer share (effectively 15.3%) as "Self-Employment Tax."
Which states have no income tax in 2026?
Nine states levy no general income tax in 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. If you are considering relocating, moving to one of these states can significantly increase your take-home pay. Use the "Compare State" feature in our calculator to see the exact dollar difference for your income level.
How does the Child Tax Credit reduce my taxes in 2026?
The 2026 Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per qualifying dependent child under 17. This credit directly reduces your federal income tax liability — it is not just a deduction. For example, if your federal tax liability is $8,000 and you have two children, the $4,400 credit reduces your bill to $3,600. Enter the number of children in our calculator to see this applied automatically.
What are pre-tax deductions and how do they lower my taxes?
Pre-tax deductions are contributions made before your income is taxed. Common examples include 401(k) contributions, HSA (Health Savings Account) contributions, and employer-sponsored health insurance premiums. Because these reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar, they lower both your federal and state tax bill. For example, contributing $10,000 to a 401(k) on a $100,000 salary means you are only taxed on $90,000 of income.