Free 2026 paycheck and tax calculators for every US state: take-home pay, federal income tax, FICA, overtime, bonuses, raises, 401(k) and self-employment tax — every assumption shown.https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/hsa-and-fsa-paycheck-savings/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/hsa-and-fsa-paycheck-savings/HSA contributions (up to $4,400 self-only or $8,750 family in 2026) and FSA contributions (up to $3,400) reduce both income tax and FICA — unlike a 401(k).Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/moving-to-a-no-income-tax-state/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/moving-to-a-no-income-tax-state/Moving from California to Texas on $80,000 saves about $4,100 per year in state taxes. Engine-computed comparisons, part-year rules, and what's not modeled.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/senior-deduction-2026/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/senior-deduction-2026/New $6,000 per-person deduction for taxpayers 65+ (2025-2028). Phases out at 6% of MAGI above $75k single / $150k MFJ. Stacks on standard deduction.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/roth-vs-traditional-401k-paycheck/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/roth-vs-traditional-401k-paycheck/Traditional 401(k) costs less per paycheck than Roth due to the current tax break. At $70k with $7,000 contributed, traditional saves $46 per biweekly check.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/401k-contributions-and-take-home-pay/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/401k-contributions-and-take-home-pay/Traditional 401(k) cuts taxable income but not FICA wages. At $70k, a 6% contribution ($162/paycheck) only reduces take-home by $129 — taxes offset the rest.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/child-tax-credit-2026/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/child-tax-credit-2026/The 2026 Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per child under 17, up to $1,700 refundable. Phase-out: $200k single / $400k MFJ. Source: Rev. Proc. 2025-32.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/working-in-one-state-living-in-another/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/working-in-one-state-living-in-another/Work in one state, live in another? Reciprocity agreements, credits for taxes paid, and New York's convenience-of-the-employer rule — explained for 2026.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/1099-vs-w2-take-home-pay/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/1099-vs-w2-take-home-pay/At equal gross income, a 1099 worker takes home less than a W-2 employee because they pay both halves of FICA. At $80k, the gap is roughly $3,900 per year.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/no-tax-on-tips-explained/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/no-tax-on-tips-explained/The 2026 tips deduction (P.L. 119-21) lets qualifying tipped workers deduct up to $25,000 of tips from federal income tax. FICA still applies to all tip income.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/no-tax-on-overtime-explained/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/no-tax-on-overtime-explained/The 2026 overtime deduction (P.L. 119-21) lets qualifying workers deduct up to $12,500 or $25,000 MFJ of FLSA overtime premium. FICA still applies.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/quarterly-estimated-taxes/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/quarterly-estimated-taxes/Pay quarterly by April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15. Safe harbor: 90% of current-year tax or 100%/110% of last year's.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-to-fill-out-a-w4/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-to-fill-out-a-w4/The 2026 W-4 has 5 steps. Most employees complete Steps 1 and 5 only. Step 3 adds dependents; Step 4 adjusts for other income or extra withholding.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/local-income-taxes-explained/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/local-income-taxes-explained/Some cities and counties add a local income tax on top of state and federal taxes. NYC, Philly, Indiana counties, Detroit, and more — how each works in 2026.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/self-employment-tax-explained/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/self-employment-tax-explained/Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings — covering both halves of Social Security and Medicare. Half of SE tax is deductible from income.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/marginal-vs-effective-tax-rate/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/marginal-vs-effective-tax-rate/Marginal rate is the tax on your next dollar earned; effective rate is total tax divided by total income. A $100k single filer: 22% marginal, 13.2% effective.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-tips-are-taxed-on-your-paycheck/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-tips-are-taxed-on-your-paycheck/Tips are wages subject to federal income tax and FICA. A 2025–2028 deduction of up to $25,000 can offset income tax on tips in qualifying occupations.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/standard-deduction-2026/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/standard-deduction-2026/The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household, per Rev. Proc. 2025-32.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/federal-tax-brackets-2026/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/federal-tax-brackets-2026/2026 federal tax brackets: 10%–37% for all filing statuses. Single 22% bracket starts at $50,400 taxable income. Full tables from Rev. Proc. 2025-32.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-commission-is-taxed/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-commission-is-taxed/Commissions are wages taxed as ordinary income. Employers withhold 22% flat (37% above $1M) on separate checks. Final tax depends on your total income.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/paid-family-leave-payroll-taxes/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/paid-family-leave-payroll-taxes/Eleven states deduct paid family and medical leave premiums from paychecks in 2026. Rates, wage bases, and annual caps from official sources, state by state.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-much-is-taken-out-of-my-paycheck/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/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.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-to-calculate-a-raise/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-to-calculate-a-raise/Taxes take a share of every raise. From $60k to $70k (single filer), you keep roughly 77 cents of each extra dollar after federal taxes and FICA.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-bonuses-are-taxed/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-bonuses-are-taxed/Bonuses are withheld at 22% flat federal rate (37% above $1M). Your actual tax depends on your income bracket and is settled at filing — not at withholding.Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/state-disability-insurance-explained/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/state-disability-insurance-explained/Five states withhold State Disability Insurance from paychecks in 2026 — CA, HI, NJ, NY, and RI. Rates, wage bases, and annual maximums from official data.Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/what-to-expect-from-your-first-paycheck/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/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).Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-overtime-pay-works/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-overtime-pay-works/FLSA requires 1.5× regular rate for hours over 40 per workweek. A 2025–2028 deduction exempts the OT premium (up to $12,500) from federal income tax.Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/why-is-my-paycheck-smaller-than-expected/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/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.Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/biweekly-vs-semimonthly-pay/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/biweekly-vs-semimonthly-pay/Biweekly means 26 paychecks a year; semimonthly means 24. Annual pay is identical, but per-paycheck amounts differ. Here's how to compare them.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/highest-state-income-tax-rates/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/highest-state-income-tax-rates/California's 12.3% tops the nation for wage earners in 2026. Here are the 11 states where top income tax rates exceed 6%, with official bracket data.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/hourly-to-salary-conversion/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/hourly-to-salary-conversion/Multiply your hourly rate by 2,080 (40 hrs × 52 weeks) for your full-time annual salary. Divide an annual salary by 2,080 to find the hourly equivalent.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/social-security-wage-base-explained/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/social-security-wage-base-explained/The 2026 Social Security wage base is $184,500 — up from $176,100 in 2025. Wages above this limit are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax.Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-to-read-a-pay-stub/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/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.Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/fica-tax-explained/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/fica-tax-explained/FICA is 7.65% of wages for employees — 6.2% Social Security (up to $184,500) plus 1.45% Medicare on all wages. Self-employed workers pay 15.3%.Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/flat-tax-states-2026/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/flat-tax-states-2026/Fourteen states use a single flat income tax rate in 2026, ranging from 2.5% in Arizona to 5% in Massachusetts. Rates and take-home examples from official data.Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-paychecks-are-taxed/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/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.Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/gross-vs-net-pay/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/gross-vs-net-pay/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.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/medicare-tax-and-additional-medicare-tax/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/medicare-tax-and-additional-medicare-tax/Medicare tax is 1.45% on all wages with no cap. Single filers pay 0.9% extra on wages above $200,000. The combined rate can reach 2.35%.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/how-to-calculate-take-home-pay/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/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.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/social-security-tax-2026/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/social-security-tax-2026/For 2026, Social Security tax is 6.2% on wages up to $184,500. Employees pay up to $11,439. Self-employed workers pay 12.4% on 92.35% of net earnings.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/states-with-no-income-tax/https://takehome-4dc.pages.dev/articles/states-with-no-income-tax/Nine states — AK, FL, NH, NV, SD, TN, TX, WA, and WY — tax no wages in 2026. See what each taxes instead and what payroll deductions still apply.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT