Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay per paycheck from salary, pay frequency and 401(k) — a rough federal-only calculation.
How it works
Taxable = salary − 401(k) − other pre-tax − standard deduction · Federal tax from 2024 single-filer brackets · Take-home = salary − 401(k) − other pre-tax − federal − FICA
This is a rough, federal-only estimate. It subtracts your 401(k) and other pre-tax deductions plus the 2024 single-filer standard deduction ($14,600) to get taxable income, then applies the 2024 single-filer income-tax brackets. FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%) is shown separately because it is a flat payroll tax on wages, not part of the progressive brackets. State and local income taxes, tax credits and W-4 adjustments are not included, so treat the result as a ballpark rather than a paystub.
Worked example
On a $75,000 salary paid biweekly with a 5% 401(k) contribution: gross is about $2,884.62 per check. After a rough $7,516 federal estimate and $5,738 FICA for the year, take-home lands near $2,231 per paycheck — before any state tax.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this estimate?
It is a rough, federal-only approximation using 2024 single-filer brackets and the standard deduction. It ignores state and local income tax, tax credits, and the many W-4 adjustments payroll systems apply — treat it as a ballpark, not a paystub.
What is FICA and why is it separate?
FICA is Social Security (6.2%) plus Medicare (1.45%), totaling 7.65% of wages, withheld on top of income tax. It is shown separately here because it is a flat payroll tax, not part of the progressive income-tax brackets. Social Security stops above the annual wage base (about $168,600 in 2024), so this flat rate slightly overstates FICA for very high earners.
Why does a 401(k) contribution raise my take-home ratio?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, so they lower your taxable income and thus your federal withholding. You still pay FICA on them, and the money goes into retirement savings rather than your checking account.
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Rough federal-only estimate using single-filer brackets — ignores state tax and credits, not payroll-accurate. Not tax advice.