Paycheck Calculator

Free paycheck calculator with 2024 federal tax brackets, state tax, FICA, 401(k) contributions, and other deductions. See your real take-home pay — no surprises on payday.

Gross Pay / Period
$0
Federal Tax
$0
State Tax
$0
FICA (7.65%)
$0
Net Pay / Period
$0
Annual Net Pay
$0
$
$20K$500K
%
0%25%
%
0%15%
$ /mo
$0$2,000/mo

Where Your Money Goes (Annual)

Formula Used

Per-Period Gross Pay = Annual Salary / Pay Periods Taxable Income = Gross Salary - Standard Deduction - 401(k) Contributions Federal Tax (Progressive 2024 Brackets): Single: 10% $0-$11,600; 12% $11,601-$47,150; 22% $47,151-$100,525; 24% $100,526-$191,950; 32% $191,951-$243,725; 35% $243,726-$609,350; 37% $609,351+ (Married Filing Jointly: double the bracket thresholds) Standard Deduction: $14,600 single / $29,200 married State Tax = Taxable Income × State Tax Rate FICA = Gross Salary × 7.65% (SS 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%) Net Pay = Gross - Federal Tax - State Tax - FICA - 401(k) - Other Deductions

How This Paycheck Calculator Works

Our paycheck calculator uses 2024 federal tax brackets to estimate your actual take-home pay. Unlike simple percentage estimators, we apply progressive tax brackets — so you see your real marginal and effective tax rates.

What's Included

  • Federal income tax: Calculated using progressive 2024 brackets after standard deduction and 401(k) contributions
  • State tax: Flat percentage you can customize to your state's rate
  • FICA: 7.65% combined (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare)
  • 401(k) contributions: Pre-tax deductions that reduce your taxable income
  • Other deductions: Health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and more

Understanding Your Effective Tax Rate

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, standard deduction):

  • Your top marginal bracket is 22%, but only a portion of your income is taxed at that rate
  • Effective federal tax rate is typically 11-13% after the standard deduction
  • FICA adds a flat 7.65% on top — a significant portion many overlook

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my take-home pay?
Your take-home pay is your gross salary minus federal income tax, state tax, FICA (7.65% for Social Security and Medicare), 401(k) contributions, and any other deductions like health insurance. Federal tax uses progressive brackets — only the portion of income in each bracket is taxed at that rate. Use CalcDeck's free paycheck calculator above to get an instant estimate with real 2024 tax brackets.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what actually lands in your bank account after federal tax, state tax, FICA (Social Security + Medicare), retirement contributions, health insurance premiums, and any other withholdings. The difference can be 25-35% of your gross — understanding this gap is essential for budgeting.
How do 2024 federal tax brackets work?
The 2024 federal tax brackets are progressive — you're not taxed at one flat rate. For single filers: 10% on first $11,600, 12% on $11,601-$47,150, 22% on $47,151-$100,525, then 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% at higher incomes. The standard deduction ($14,600 single, $29,200 married) is subtracted before brackets apply. Your marginal rate (top bracket) is typically much higher than your effective rate (what you actually pay overall).
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match — that's an immediate 50-100% return on your money. Beyond that, aim for 10-15% of your gross income (including match). 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, meaning they lower your taxable income now. Maxing out at $23,500/year (2026 limit) can save thousands in taxes annually while building your retirement nest egg.
What is FICA and why is it taken from my paycheck?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act — it funds Social Security (6.2% of wages up to the wage base) and Medicare (1.45% of all wages, no cap). Combined, employees pay 7.65% of gross wages. Your employer matches this amount. Self-employed individuals pay both halves (15.3%), though half is deductible. Unlike income tax, FICA is a flat rate with no standard deduction — it hits every dollar.
How does my pay frequency affect my per-period paycheck?
Your pay frequency determines how your annual salary is split: weekly (52 checks), bi-weekly (26), semi-monthly (24), or monthly (12). Bi-weekly and weekly earners get occasional "extra" paychecks in months with 3 pay periods. Semi-monthly and monthly provide consistent amounts each period. Your total annual take-home is the same regardless of frequency — only the per-period amount changes.