Paycheck Calculator — Federal, State & Local Taxes (US)

Paycheck Calculator: Your Guide to U.S. Federal, State & Local Taxes

Understanding your paycheck shouldn’t feel like a puzzle. With so many deductions, withholdings, and taxes, it’s easy to get lost. Our Paycheck Calculator for the USA is a free and powerful tool designed to give you a precise estimate of your take-home pay, all while breaking down every single deduction. Whether you’re a salaried employee, an hourly worker, or a freelancer, this calculator provides the clarity you need to manage your money with confidence.

Why You Need a U.S. Paycheck Calculator

Every employee in the United States receives a paycheck, but few truly understand how their gross pay becomes their net pay. Our advanced payroll calculator is an essential tool for financial planning and budgeting, because it:

• Accurately estimates federal income tax withholding using the latest 2025 IRS tax brackets.

• Applies FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) according to the most current regulations.

• Includes state and local income taxes, which can vary dramatically based on your location.

• Helps you plan for pre-tax deductions like 401(k), HSA, or FSA contributions.

• Provides a clear, itemized view of your take-home pay, so you can budget effectively and avoid surprises.

Our calculator is not just for employees—it’s also a crucial resource for job offer comparison, helping you see the real difference in net income when considering salaries across different states.

How Our Paycheck Calculator Works

Our calculator simplifies complex tax rules into a quick, easy-to-use interface. Here’s a look under the hood at how your paycheck is calculated:

1. Gross Pay Calculation: Start by entering your annual salary, per-period pay, or hourly wage. The calculator adjusts for your pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).

2. Pre-Tax Deductions: Enter any pre-tax contributions, such as to a 401(k) retirement plan, Health Savings Account (HSA), or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). These deductions reduce your taxable income, helping you save money.

3. Federal Tax Withholding: The calculator automatically applies the latest 2025 federal tax rates based on your selected filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household).

4. FICA Taxes (Payroll Taxes): Your paycheck will be subject to two mandatory taxes:

   • Social Security: A 6.2% tax on earnings up to the 2025 wage base of $176,100.

   • Medicare: A 1.45% tax on all earnings, with an additional 0.9% for high earners.

5. State and Local Taxes: Our tool has pre-loaded presets for major states like California, New York, Texas, and Florida, but you can also enter custom percentages for any state or local tax jurisdiction, ensuring maximum accuracy.

6. Net Pay (Take-Home Pay): The final step is a clear, precise calculation:

   Gross Pay − All Taxes − Pre-Tax Deductions = Your Take-Home Pay

Key Features for Smart Financial Planning

• 2025 IRS Brackets & FICA Limits: Our calculator is fully updated with the latest 2025 tax laws for maximum accuracy.

• Complete Tax Breakdown: Get a full picture of federal, state, local, and FICA tax deductions.

• Visual Reports: An intuitive doughnut chart visually breaks down your paycheck, showing exactly where your money is going.

• Multi-Frequency Support: Works for any pay schedule—weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly.

• Customizable Rates: Easily adjust state and local tax percentages to match your exact location.

• Mobile-Friendly Design: Access the calculator from any device—desktop, tablet, or smartphone.

2025 Federal Tax & Payroll Tax Details

Our tool incorporates the official 2025 IRS data to provide the most reliable calculations.

2025 Federal Income Tax Brackets (Single Filers):

2025 Standard Deductions:

• Single: $15,000

• Married Filing Jointly: $30,000

• Head of Household: $22,500

FICA Tax Rates:

• Social Security: 6.2% on income up to the 2025 wage base of $176,100.

• Medicare: 1.45% on all income.

• Additional Medicare Tax: 0.9% on income over $200,000 (Single) or $250,000 (Married).

These numbers are automatically factored into your results, giving you a precise estimate of your take-home pay.

Who Can Benefit from This Calculator?

• Employees: Understand your deductions and create a solid budget.

• Job Seekers: Compare take-home pay from different job offers and locations.

• Freelancers & Contractors: Estimate your quarterly taxes and set aside the right amount for federal and state withholdings.

• Employers: Get a quick and accurate estimate for new hire payroll.

FAQs

Q1: Is this calculator 100% accurate? Our calculator uses the most recent IRS data, including the 2025 tax brackets and FICA limits. While state and local rates may vary slightly, you can input custom values for pinpoint accuracy.

Q2: Does it calculate self-employment taxes? While you can estimate your income, self-employed individuals are also responsible for the employer’s portion of FICA taxes (15.3% total), which this calculator does not automatically include.

Q3: What if I have other deductions? Our tool covers the main taxes and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and HSA. If you have other deductions like health insurance premiums or union dues, simply subtract them from your final net pay to get the most accurate result.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Financial Future

Don’t let payroll deductions be a mystery. Our Paycheck Calculator provides the transparency and accuracy you need to understand your true earnings. By breaking down every dollar, it empowers you to make smarter decisions about your budget, savings, and retirement.

Try our free online paycheck calculator now and gain a powerful insight into your personal finances.