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Tax

Payroll Tax Calculator

Break down your paycheck — see exactly what you pay in Social Security, Medicare, federal income tax, and state tax on every dollar earned.

Updated June 2026 · Editorial standards

Your details

$
$

401(k), HSA, FSA, health insurance premiums

Net paycheck
$2,033.73
Gross paycheck
$3,076.92
Annual net pay
$52,877
Effective tax rate
26.4%

Your $3,076.92 gross paycheck nets $2,033.73 after $6,120 FICA, $8,121 federal, and $6,882 state tax annually.

Annual gross breakdown

Paycheck breakdown

ItemPer PaycheckAnnual
Gross pay$3,076.92$80,000
Pre-tax deductions$230.77$6,000
Social Security$190.77$4,960
Medicare$44.62$1,160
Federal income tax$312.35$8,121
State income tax$264.69$6,882
Net take-home$2,033.73$52,877
By the KalkWise Editorial Team Reviewed for accuracy Updated June 2026

What is the payroll tax calculator?

In short

Payroll taxes include Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $168,600 in 2024), Medicare (1.45% with an extra 0.9% above $200,000 for single filers), federal income tax withheld based on your W-4 and tax bracket, and state income tax. Together these deductions determine your actual take-home pay. Your employer also pays a matching 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare on your behalf.

This payroll tax calculator breaks down a paycheck into its components: gross pay, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), federal income tax withholding, state income tax, and net take-home pay. It supports hourly and salaried workers and shows both per-paycheck and annualized figures.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your gross pay (hourly wage × hours worked, or salary ÷ pay periods).
  2. 2Select your pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly).
  3. 3Choose your federal filing status and number of allowances or W-4 adjustments.
  4. 4Select your state to include state income tax withholding.
  5. 5Review the detailed paycheck breakdown and annual totals.

The formula

FICA=Gross×6.2%+Gross×1.45%
Net=Gross−FICA−FIT−SIT
Net Pay = Gross Pay − Social Security Tax − Medicare Tax − Federal Income Tax − State Income Tax − Other Deductions. FICA = 6.2% Social Security (up to wage base) + 1.45% Medicare.
SS
— Social Security tax = Gross × 6.2% (up to $168,600 annual wage base)
MC
— Medicare tax = Gross × 1.45% (+ 0.9% above $200K single)
FIT
— Federal income tax withheld per W-4 and bracket
SIT
— State income tax withheld
Net
— Gross − SS − MC − FIT − SIT − other deductions

Worked example

The scenario

Biweekly gross pay of $3,846 ($100,000/year salary), single filer, no extra withholding, in California.

gives

The result

Social Security: $238/check. Medicare: $56/check. Federal income tax (estimated): ~$590/check. California state tax: ~$230/check. Net take-home: approximately $2,732 per paycheck, or roughly $71,000/year.

Common use cases

  • Verifying your paycheck stub against expected deductions
  • Estimating take-home pay before accepting a job offer
  • Planning a budget based on actual net income rather than gross salary
  • Understanding how a raise or bonus affects your net after taxes
  • Comparing the net pay impact of pre-tax 401k vs. Roth 401k contributions

Limitations & assumptions

  • Federal withholding is an estimate based on standard W-4 settings; actual withholding may differ based on your W-4 elections, additional income, or deductions.
  • Does not include pre-tax benefit deductions (health insurance, FSA, 401k) unless manually subtracted from gross pay.
  • State tax rates are simplified averages and may not reflect your exact bracket, local taxes, or deductions.
  • Self-employment income is taxed differently (see the Self-Employment Tax Calculator).

Frequently asked questions

Payroll taxes are taxes withheld from your paycheck by your employer and remitted to the government on your behalf. They include FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), federal income tax withholding, and state/local income tax withholding. Unlike income tax, FICA is a flat percentage on wages — making it a larger burden for lower earners as a share of income.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.