Payroll & Tax Calculators

Standard deductions include federal income tax (based on your W-4 and filing status), state income tax (where applicable), Social Security at 6.2% up to $176,100, and Medicare at 1.45% with no cap. Pre-tax benefits like 401k contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA deposits are subtracted from gross pay before taxes are applied, reducing your taxable income.

FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act and covers two taxes: Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $176,100 in 2025) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% for income above $200,000 for single filers). Your employer matches the standard 6.2% and 1.45%, but not the additional 0.9% surcharge.

Calculator estimates assume standard withholding based on your filing status and pay period. Actual paychecks may differ due to employer-specific benefits, wage garnishments, local city taxes, non-standard W-4 elections, or supplemental wages like bonuses being taxed at a flat 22% federal rate. Use the estimate as a planning guide, not a guarantee.

Contribute to pre-tax accounts like a traditional 401k, HSA, or FSA, which reduce your taxable gross. You can also update your W-4 to claim deductions you plan to itemize. Note that reducing withholding doesn't reduce what you owe; it just defers the payment. Underpaying can result in a penalty at tax time.

No. As of 2025, nine states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Some states also have local city or county taxes on top of state taxes, including Maryland, Ohio, and Michigan.