Paychecks
How gross pay becomes take-home pay: withholding, pay stubs, pay frequency and why a paycheck can look smaller than expected.
Calculators
Guides
Biweekly vs. Semimonthly Pay: What's the Difference?
Biweekly means 26 paychecks a year; semimonthly means 24. Annual pay is identical, but per-paycheck amounts differ. Here's how to compare them.
Gross vs. Net Pay: What's the Difference?
Gross pay is what you earn before deductions; net pay is what lands in your bank. For a $75,000 salary, expect roughly $62,000 net — here's the breakdown.
How Much Is Taken Out of My Paycheck?
Federal taxes take 15–25% of most paychecks in 2026. Social Security is 6.2%, Medicare 1.45%, plus your federal income tax bracket and any state taxes.
How Paychecks Are Taxed
Employers withhold federal income tax using IRS Publication 15-T, plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare from every paycheck. Here's how it works in 2026.
How to Calculate Take-Home Pay
Take-home pay equals gross pay minus federal income tax, FICA, and any state taxes. Step-by-step example for a $60,000 salary in 2026.
How to Read a Pay Stub
A pay stub shows gross pay, every tax and deduction, and net pay for the period and year-to-date. Learn what each line means and how to spot errors.
What to Expect From Your First Paycheck
First paycheck smaller than expected? Taxes take 15-20% and benefits add more. A $50k salary nets about $1,629 per biweekly check (federal taxes only).
Why Is My Paycheck Smaller Than Expected?
Common reasons: taxes weren't factored in, a pre-tax deduction enrollment, a pay frequency change, or reaching the SS wage base. Here's how to diagnose each.