About the Federal Only Paycheck Calculator

This free paycheck calculator gives you an instant bracket-based estimate of your federal take-home pay. Enter your hourly rate or annual salary, choose your pay frequency and filing status, and see a complete breakdown of every federal deduction in seconds.

This calculator covers federal income tax (using 2025 IRS brackets), Social Security (6.2%, wage base $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%). State income tax is not included on this page — use the state-specific calculator links in the navigation above for a state-tax-inclusive estimate.

All calculations are bracket-based estimates. Results do not account for W-4 adjustments, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, health insurance), or local taxes. For exact withholding, consult your employer's HR or payroll department.

📚 Sources & Last Updated

Last updated: April 2026 · Tax year: 2026

How the Tax Formula Works

This calculator uses a bracket-based approach — the same method used to compute annual tax liability — divided by your pay periods. It is an estimate, not a payroll withholding calculation (which uses W-4 inputs and IRS Publication 15-T procedures).

1Gross Pay = Hourly Rate × Hours OR Annual Salary ÷ Pay Periods
2Federal Taxable Income = Annual Gross − Standard Deduction (2025: $15,000 single / $30,000 married)
3Federal Income Tax = Apply 2025 IRS brackets (10%→37%) ÷ pay periods
4Social Security = Gross × 6.2% (stops at $184,500 annual wages)
5Medicare = Gross × 1.45% (+0.9% on wages over $200K single)
6Federal income tax only (no state tax) — select a state page for state-inclusive results
7Net Take Home = Gross − Fed Tax − SS − Medicare − State Tax

Results are bracket-based estimates. Actual paycheck withholding is determined by your W-4 form, pre-tax deductions, and employer payroll procedures. Use these results for planning and budgeting — not as a substitute for your actual pay stub.

Frequently Asked Questions — Federal Only Paycheck Calculator

This calculator estimates federal income tax using 2026 IRS tax brackets, Social Security at 6.2% (up to the $184,500 wage base), and Medicare at 1.45%. It does not include state income tax — use our state-specific pages for that. It also does not model W-4 adjustments, pre-tax 401(k) contributions, health insurance deductions, or local taxes.
This is a bracket-based estimate — not an exact payroll calculation. Actual withholding is determined by your W-4 form, which accounts for additional withholding, deductions, and credits. Use this calculator to get a realistic ballpark of your take-home pay, then verify exact amounts with your HR department.
For 2026, the standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household. This deduction reduces your federally taxable income. Note that Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes apply to your full gross wages — not the reduced taxable amount.
Social Security tax is 6.2% of gross wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500. Once your wages exceed that threshold for the year, Social Security withholding stops. Both you and your employer each pay 6.2%, totaling 12.4% combined.
Medicare tax is 1.45% of all gross wages with no cap. High earners pay an additional 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages over $200,000 (single filers) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Unlike Social Security, Medicare has no annual wage base limit.
Click the 'Annual Salary' toggle, enter your full annual salary before deductions, select your pay frequency (biweekly is most common), and choose your filing status. The calculator divides your annual salary by the number of pay periods and applies 2026 federal tax brackets to show your per-paycheck breakdown.
Several factors can cause differences: your W-4 withholding elections, pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or health insurance, year-to-date earnings affecting Social Security limits, employer-specific payroll adjustments, and state or local taxes not included in this calculator. Think of this as a planning estimate, not a payroll statement.
As of 2026, nine states have no individual income tax on wages: Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Tennessee, and New Hampshire. If you work in one of these states, your take-home pay equals this federal-only estimate (minus any applicable local taxes).

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