2026 Take-Home Pay Calculator: Salary to Net Pay
Calculate your actual take-home pay after federal taxes, state taxes, FICA, and all deductions. This free 2026 salary to net pay calculator helps you understand exactly how much money you'll receive in your paycheck, whether you're in California, New York, Texas, or any other state.
Knowing your take-home pay is the foundation of smart budgeting. If you earn $75,000 per year, you might be surprised to learn that your actual monthly income is significantly less after taxes and deductions. This calculator uses 2026 tax brackets from the IRS and current state tax rates to give you an accurate estimate of your net pay.
Your data is processed entirely in your browser and saved locally on your device. No information is sent to our servers, and no accounts are required. Use this tool as often as you need to explore different scenarios, like how increasing your 401(k) contribution affects your take-home pay, or how getting married changes your tax situation.
Last Updated: December 2025 for 2026 Tax Year
This calculator uses the most current 2026 tax brackets, FICA rates, and state tax information available. Tax data is updated annually when the IRS releases new brackets and rates, ensuring you get accurate estimates based on the latest tax laws.
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How Life Changes Impact Your Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay changes when your life circumstances change. Understanding these impacts helps you plan ahead and make informed financial decisions. Here are some common scenarios and how they affect your net pay.
Scenario 1: Getting Married
When you get married and file jointly, your tax brackets change. For example, if you both earn $50,000 per year (combined $100,000), filing jointly typically results in lower taxes than filing separately.
Example calculation: A single person earning $100,000 in California pays approximately $22,000 in federal taxes (22% bracket) plus state taxes. The same income for a married couple filing jointly falls into a lower effective tax rate, potentially saving $2,000 to $4,000 annually in taxes.
Use the calculator above to compare single vs. married filing status with your actual income.
Scenario 2: Increasing 401(k) Contributions
Increasing your 401(k) contribution reduces your taxable income, which can actually increase your take-home pay in some cases due to lower taxes.
Example calculation: If you earn $75,000 and increase your 401(k) contribution from 3% ($2,250) to 6% ($4,500), your taxable income drops from $75,000 to $70,500. At a 22% federal tax rate, you save $495 in federal taxes. Your take-home pay decreases by $1,755 per year ($4,500 - $495 - $1,250 in state tax savings), but you've saved $4,500 for retirement.
The calculator above shows how pre-tax deductions reduce both your taxable income and your tax burden.
Scenario 3: Having a Child
Each qualifying child reduces your tax liability through the Child Tax Credit. In 2025, the credit is $2,000 per child, which directly reduces your tax bill.
Example calculation: If you earn $60,000 and have one child, the $2,000 Child Tax Credit reduces your federal tax liability. For someone in the 22% tax bracket, this credit is worth more than a $9,000 deduction would be. Your take-home pay effectively increases by $2,000 per year.
Adjust the dependents field in the calculator to see how children impact your take-home pay.
Scenario 4: Moving to a Different State
State income tax rates vary dramatically. Moving from a high-tax state like California (13.3% top rate) to a no-tax state like Texas or Florida can significantly increase your take-home pay.
Example calculation: On a $100,000 salary, California state taxes might be around $5,000 to $8,000 depending on your bracket. Moving to Texas (no state income tax) means that entire amount stays in your pocket. However, property taxes and other costs may be higher in no-tax states.
Use the state dropdown in the calculator to compare how different states affect your net pay.
How State Income Tax Impacts Your 2026 Take-Home Pay
State income tax is one of the biggest variables in your take-home pay calculation. Some states have no income tax at all, while others have rates as high as 13.3%. Understanding your state's tax structure helps you plan your budget more accurately.
States with No Income Tax (2026)
These states don't tax your income, which means more money in your paycheck:
- Alaska (AK)
- Florida (FL)
- Nevada (NV)
- New Hampshire (NH) - no wage tax, but taxes interest and dividends
- South Dakota (SD)
- Tennessee (TN)
- Texas (TX)
- Washington (WA)
- Wyoming (WY)
If you earn $75,000 in a no-tax state, you keep the full amount after federal taxes. In a high-tax state like California, you might pay an additional $3,000 to $5,000 in state taxes on the same income.
High-Tax States (2026)
These states have the highest income tax rates:
- California (CA): Up to 13.3%
- New York (NY): Up to 10.9%
- New Jersey (NJ): Up to 10.75%
- Oregon (OR): Up to 9.9%
- Minnesota (MN): Up to 9.85%
If you live in California and earn $100,000, you might pay $5,000 to $8,000 in state taxes depending on your bracket. This significantly impacts your monthly take-home pay.
Flat Tax States (2026)
Some states use a flat tax rate regardless of income level:
- Colorado (CO): 4.25%
- Illinois (IL): 4.95%
- Indiana (IN): 3.15%
- Massachusetts (MA): 5.0%
- Michigan (MI): 4.25%
- North Carolina (NC): 4.25%
- Pennsylvania (PA): 3.07%
- Utah (UT): 4.55%
Flat tax states make it easier to predict your take-home pay, as the rate doesn't change with income brackets. Use the calculator above to see exactly how your state impacts your net pay.
Remember that state taxes are just one factor. Some states with no income tax have higher property taxes or sales taxes. Always consider your total tax burden when making financial decisions. For help planning your budget with your actual take-home pay, use our monthly budget calculator.
What is Take-Home Pay?
Take-home pay, also known as net pay, is the amount of money you actually receive in your paycheck after all deductions are taken out. This is different from your gross pay, which is your total salary or hourly wage before any deductions.
Common deductions that reduce your take-home pay include:
- Federal income tax: Withheld based on your tax bracket and the information you provide on your W-4 form
- State income tax: Varies by state, and some states don't have state income tax
- FICA taxes: Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes, totaling 7.65% of your gross pay
- Health insurance premiums: If you have employer-sponsored health insurance
- Retirement contributions: Such as 401(k) or 403(b) contributions
- Other deductions: Life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and more
Understanding your take-home pay is essential for budgeting because it shows you the actual amount of money you have available to spend and save each month. Use our monthly budget calculator to plan your expenses based on your actual take-home pay, or explore our guide on how to start budgeting to get organized.
Understanding Tax Withholdings
Your employer withholds taxes from each paycheck based on the information you provide on your W-4 form. The IRS W-4 form determines how much federal income tax is withheld. You can adjust your withholdings by submitting a new W-4 to your employer at any time. The 2025 standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly, which reduces your taxable income before tax brackets are applied.
FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) are calculated as a percentage of your gross pay:
- Social Security tax: 6.2% on earnings up to $168,600 in 2025 (the wage base limit, set annually by the Social Security Administration). Once you exceed this limit, you stop paying Social Security tax for the rest of the year.
- Medicare tax: 1.45% on all earnings, plus an additional 0.9% on earnings above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. Unlike Social Security, there's no cap on Medicare tax.
Together, FICA taxes typically total 7.65% of your gross pay for most workers. For someone earning $75,000 per year, that's approximately $5,737.50 in FICA taxes annually ($4,650 for Social Security plus $1,087.50 for Medicare).
For more detailed information about federal tax brackets and rates, visit the IRS website. State tax rates vary by location, so check with your state's tax authority for specific information. The calculator above uses 2025 tax brackets and current state tax rates to provide accurate estimates.
Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Deductions
Understanding the difference between pre-tax and post-tax deductions can help you make better financial decisions:
Pre-Tax Deductions
These deductions reduce your taxable income, which can lower your tax bill:
- 401(k) or 403(b) retirement contributions
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions
- Pre-tax health insurance premiums
Post-Tax Deductions
These deductions are taken after taxes are calculated:
- Post-tax health, dental, or vision insurance premiums
- Life insurance premiums
- Disability insurance
- Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA contributions (if made through payroll)
Maximizing pre-tax deductions can reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay efficiency. Consider using our 50/30/20 budget calculator to see how your take-home pay should be allocated across needs, wants, and savings.
Methodology & Data Sources
Last Updated: December 2025 for 2026 Tax Year
This calculator is regularly updated with the latest tax information. The data reflects 2026 tax brackets and rates as published by the IRS and Social Security Administration.
This take-home pay calculator is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. We use official government sources and current tax data to ensure reliable estimates.
Tax Data Sources
- Federal Tax Brackets: Based on 2025 IRS tax brackets and standard deductions. Source: IRS Tax Inflation Adjustments for 2025
- FICA Rates: Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) rates from the Social Security Administration. Social Security wage base limit for 2025 is $168,600.
- State Tax Rates: Based on each state's 2025 income tax structure. Rates are estimates using top marginal rates or flat rates where applicable. Actual rates may vary based on income brackets and local factors.
- Child Tax Credit: $2,000 per qualifying child for 2025, as established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Privacy & Data Security
This calculator processes all data locally in your browser. No information is sent to our servers, and no data is stored on our systems. Your income, deductions, and tax information remain completely private. Any data saved to your device (via localStorage) is stored locally and can be cleared at any time using the reset button.
This tool is designed for estimation purposes. For tax planning and filing, consult with a qualified tax professional or use official IRS tax software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps
Once you understand your take-home pay, you can:
- Create a budget using our monthly budget calculator
- Learn about tracking your spending to understand where your money goes
- Explore the 50/30/20 budgeting rule as a simple framework for managing your finances
- Read our guide on common budget mistakes to avoid pitfalls
- Check out our 50/30/20 budget calculator to allocate your take-home pay across needs, wants, and savings
Written & Reviewed By
Lynae Thomas
I’m Lynae, the creator of SteadySpend and a software engineer learning personal finance the same way I learn code: by experimenting, making mistakes, and iterating. After navigating my own path through debt and rebuilding my financial foundation, I started sharing what actually worked for me. I’m here to provide the simple tools and judgment-free reflections I wish I’d had when I was first trying to feel calm and capable with my money.