What this W-2 calculator estimates
Use it to turn a salary offer or current gross wage into a clearer after-tax number before you compare jobs, move states, or change 401(k) contributions.
- Federal income tax using tax year 2026 ordinary brackets and the standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married filing jointly).
- FICA — Social Security at 6.2% up to a $184,500 wage base, plus Medicare at 1.45% (and Additional Medicare Tax withholding above the federal threshold).
- State and local income tax for all 50 states and D.C., plus city / county wage taxes where they apply (NYC, Yonkers, Philadelphia, Maryland counties, Indiana counties, major Ohio/Michigan/Missouri/Kentucky cities, and more). Browse the full state rate tables.
- Common pre-tax benefits with IRS caps and presets — traditional 401(k) (0–50%), HSA (self/family), health premiums, FSA, dependent care FSA, and qualified commuter benefits.
How to read your results
The headline figure is estimated net pay per pay period, based on the frequency you select (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, or annually). The breakdown separates federal income tax, FICA, state tax, local/city tax (when selected), and pre-tax deductions so you can see which line items move the needle.
Effective tax rate here means total estimated federal + FICA + state + local tax divided by gross wages. Choose a city or county when your state offers local wage tax options (for example NYC, Philadelphia, all Maryland counties, or all Indiana counties). Extra W-4 withholding and tax credits on a filed return are not modeled.
Practical ways to use a paycheck estimate
Compare offers across states. A higher salary in a high-tax state can net less than a slightly lower salary where wages are not taxed. Run both scenarios with the same filing status and deductions.
Stress-test retirement contributions. Raising a traditional 401(k) percentage usually lowers taxable income and take-home pay in the same step. The calculator helps you see the monthly cash impact before you change payroll elections.
Plan around FICA caps. Once wages pass the Social Security wage base ($184,500 for 2026), the 6.2% OASDI withholding stops for the rest of the year — which is why later paychecks can look larger even when nothing else changed.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about W-2 withholding, FICA, and why estimates differ from a live paystub.
How does this W-2 paycheck calculator work?
Enter your annual gross wages, filing status, state, city or county when applicable, pay frequency, and common pre-tax deductions. The calculator estimates federal income tax using current tax-year brackets and the standard deduction, employee Social Security and Medicare (FICA), state income tax from published state rates, and local wage taxes where you select a locality. It then shows estimated net pay per pay period and annually.
What is FICA on a W-2 paycheck?
FICA is the combined Social Security and Medicare tax withheld from employee wages. For 2026, Social Security is generally 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base, and Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, with an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% once wages exceed the withholding threshold.
Why does my state change my take-home pay so much?
States set their own income tax rates and deductions. Moving from a no-income-tax state to a high-tax state (or the reverse) can change take-home pay by thousands of dollars a year even when federal and FICA taxes stay similar.
Do 401(k) contributions reduce my taxes?
Traditional 401(k) contributions generally reduce federal taxable wages and often state taxable wages, which can lower income tax withholding. They usually do not reduce Social Security and Medicare wages. Roth 401(k) contributions are after-tax and are not modeled the same way.
Why might this estimate differ from my real paycheck?
Paystubs can include extra W-4 withholding, bonuses, garnishments, union dues, disability insurance, paid family leave premiums, and employer-specific benefits. This tool estimates federal income tax, FICA, state income tax, major city/county local wage taxes when you select a locality, and selected pre-tax deductions.
Is the standard deduction included?
Yes. The federal estimate assumes you take the tax-year standard deduction for your filing status rather than itemizing. That matches how many single-job W-4 withholding estimates are framed, but it is still a simplification of a full tax return.
Disclaimer
This tool is for education and planning. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice, and it does not file returns or guarantee withholding accuracy. Review the published rates and sources, and for official guidance see the IRS, Social Security Administration, and your state revenue department. Explore more tools on the MyAfterTax calculator hub.