Understanding how much of your salary actually ends up in your pocket is fundamental to smart financial planning. Our US Salary Tax Calculator breaks down federal income tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and common deductions so you can see your true take-home pay — not just your gross salary.
Get a detailed breakdown of your paycheck in seconds.
Your gross salary is the total amount your employer pays you before any deductions. Your net pay (or take-home pay) is what remains after all taxes and deductions are subtracted. The difference between these two numbers can be significant — often 25–40% of your gross pay.
For example, a $100,000 salary in California might result in a take-home pay of only $65,000–$72,000 depending on your filing status, deductions, and pre-tax contributions. Understanding this gap is the first step toward effective budgeting and financial planning.
The US uses a progressive tax system with seven tax brackets ranging from 10% to 37%. Your income is divided into portions, and each portion is taxed at its corresponding rate. Importantly, your entire income is not taxed at your highest bracket rate.
Note: Brackets are for 2024 tax year (single filer). Rates and thresholds are adjusted annually for inflation.
FICA taxes are flat-rate deductions that fund Social Security and Medicare programs:
Self-employed? You pay both the employer and employee portions of FICA — totaling 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare). However, you can deduct half of this as a business expense.
Most states impose their own income tax, which further reduces your take-home pay. State tax rates vary dramatically:
Our Salary Tax Calculator includes all 50 states plus Washington D.C., so you can get an accurate estimate regardless of where you live or plan to move.
Contributions to certain accounts reduce your taxable income before federal tax is calculated:
The standard deduction for 2024 is $14,600 (single) or $29,200 (married filing jointly). You can itemize deductions instead if your qualifying expenses exceed these amounts — common itemized deductions include mortgage interest, state and local taxes (SALT, capped at $10,000), and charitable contributions.
With a 401(k) contribution of $10,000, taxable income drops to $75,000, saving approximately $2,200 in federal and state taxes — making the real cost of that contribution only about $7,800.
Texas has no state income tax, which makes a significant difference:
That's roughly $10,000+ more take-home pay compared to the same income in California — a major factor in cost-of-living calculations and why many remote workers choose no-tax states.
At $35/hour working 40 hours/week with 2 weeks unpaid vacation: annual gross is approximately $68,640. After federal tax, state tax (assuming Illinois at 4.95%), and FICA, take-home pay is roughly $51,000/year or about $3,250/month. Understanding this helps with budgeting for hourly workers who may have variable schedules.
A $120,000 offer in California vs. $105,000 in Texas? The California job has higher gross pay, but after state taxes, the Texas offer may actually result in more take-home pay. Use the calculator to compare offers apples-to-apples.
See how pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce your current tax burden. Combined with our FIRE Retirement Calculator, you can model both your current tax savings and long-term retirement timeline.
State tax differences can amount to thousands of dollars per year. If you're considering moving, run the calculator for both your current and prospective states to quantify the tax impact of relocation.
Knowing your exact take-home pay is the foundation of any budget. Pair this with our Mortgage Calculator to determine how much house you can actually afford based on your net income, not your gross salary.
Several factors can reduce your actual paycheck beyond standard taxes: health insurance premiums, dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, union dues, commuter benefits, garnishments, and charitable contributions through your employer. Our calculator accounts for the most common deductions, but your employer may withhold additional items.
Bonuses are typically taxed at a flat 22% federal supplemental rate (for amounts under $1 million). Overtime pay is taxed at your regular marginal rate based on total annual income. For the most accurate results, include your total expected annual compensation (salary + bonuses + overtime) as your gross income.
A common misconception is that earning more money pushes your entire income into a higher bracket. In reality, only the income within each bracket's range is taxed at that rate. If you're in the 22% bracket, only the dollars between $47,151 and $100,525 are taxed at 22%. Everything below that is taxed at lower rates.
If you consistently receive large tax refunds or owe money at tax time, consider updating your W-4. A large refund means you're giving the government an interest-free loan. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator alongside our calculator to optimize your withholdings.
Self-employed individuals face different tax rules — no employer withholding, self-employment tax (both FICA portions), and quarterly estimated payments. Our calculator is designed primarily for W-2 employees. Self-employed users should consult a tax professional for accurate estimates.
Plan your path to financial independence using your net income.
Determine how much home you can afford with your take-home pay.
See how your post-tax savings can grow over time.
Visualize the growth of tax-advantaged accounts.
Budget for debt repayment from your net income.