💵 PaycheckCity Calculator 2026 — Estimate Your Take-Home Pay
Your Paycheck Estimate (2026)
Net Pay (Take-Home):—
—
Gross Pay:—
Federal Income Tax:—
Social Security (6.2%):—
Medicare (1.45%):—
Total Deductions:—
Effective Tax Rate:—
Annual Net Pay:—
⚠️ Simplified federal-only estimate. State taxes, local taxes, and other deductions not included. Use PaycheckCity.com for full payroll calculations.
📌 Quick Answer: For a single filer earning $3,000 semi-monthly ($72,000/year), the 2026 federal tax estimate is roughly $2,400–$2,500 net pay per period after federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers [citation:3][citation:7].
📋 Key Takeaways — 2026 Paycheck
2026 federal tax brackets: 10% to 37% [citation:3]
Standard deduction (single): $16,100 [citation:3][citation:7]
Standard deduction (married joint): $32,200 [citation:3]
Social Security: 6.2% up to $184,500 wage base [citation:9][citation:13]
Medicare: 1.45% with no wage limit [citation:9]
Bonus withholding flat rate: 22% [citation:3]
This calculator shows federal only — state taxes vary
ℹ️ This PaycheckCity-style calculator uses the official 2026 IRS tax brackets and FICA rates. For full state and local tax calculations, use PaycheckCity.com directly.
📊 Formula: Net Pay = Gross Pay − Federal Income Tax − Social Security (6.2%) − Medicare (1.45%) − Pre-Tax Deductions
💡 Important: This calculator assumes standard deduction only. Itemized deductions, credits, and multiple jobs are not modeled. Your actual withholding depends on your W-4.
📊 2026 Federal Tax Brackets (Single Filer)
Tax Rate
2026 Income Range (Single)
2026 Income Range (Married Joint)
10%
$0 – $12,400
$0 – $24,800
12%
$12,401 – $50,400
$24,801 – $100,800
22%
$50,401 – $105,700
$100,801 – $211,400
24%
$105,701 – $201,775
$211,401 – $403,550
32%
$201,776 – $256,225
$403,551 – $512,450
35%
$256,226 – $640,600
$512,451 – $768,700
37%
$640,601+
$768,701+
Source: IRS 2026 tax brackets as made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act [citation:3][citation:7].
📊 2026 FICA Rates
Tax
Employee Rate
Wage Limit (2026)
Social Security
6.2%
$184,500 [citation:9][citation:13]
Medicare
1.45%
No limit [citation:9]
Additional Medicare
0.9%
Over $200,000 (single) [citation:11]
💵 Example 1: $3,000 Semi-Monthly (Single)
Annual Gross: $72,000
Standard Deduction: $16,100
Taxable Income: ~$55,900
Est. Federal Tax: ~$7,200/year ($600/period)
Net Pay: ~$2,400/period
💵 Example 2: $5,000 Semi-Monthly (Single)
Annual Gross: $120,000
Standard Deduction: $16,100
Taxable Income: ~$103,900
Est. Federal Tax: ~$18,000/year ($1,500/period)
Net Pay: ~$3,500/period
What Is the PaycheckCity Calculator?
The PaycheckCity calculator is one of the most widely used online tools for estimating take-home pay. It deducts federal income tax, state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and other withholdings from your gross earnings to show your net pay [citation:2].
This page provides a simplified PaycheckCity-style calculator focused on federal taxes and FICA. It uses the official 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deductions. For full state-by-state calculations, visit PaycheckCity.com directly [citation:1].
How Net Pay Is Calculated in 2026
Your net pay is what remains after these deductions [citation:2]:
Federal Income Tax: Based on your taxable income (gross minus pre-tax deductions and standard deduction) and filing status. 2026 brackets range from 10% to 37% [citation:3].
Social Security: 6.2% of gross wages up to $184,500 [citation:9][citation:13].
Medicare: 1.45% of all gross wages with no cap [citation:9].
State and Local Taxes: Vary by location. Not included in this simplified calculator.
Pre-Tax Deductions: 401(k), health insurance, HSA, FSA — these reduce taxable income.
The formula: Net Pay = Gross Pay − Federal Tax − Social Security − Medicare − Pre-Tax Deductions.
2026 Tax Changes That Affect Your Paycheck
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) made permanent the seven federal tax brackets from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, eliminating the scheduled 2026 sunset [citation:3]. Key changes for 2026:
Standard deduction increased: $16,100 single, $32,200 married joint, $24,150 head of household [citation:3][citation:7].
Tax brackets adjusted ~2.3% for inflation: If your wages don't rise by more than 2.3%, you stay in the same bracket [citation:7].
Bonus withholding: Flat 22% optional rate for supplemental wages up to $1 million [citation:3].
Personal exemptions remain eliminated: No personal or dependent exemptions [citation:3].
These changes mean many Americans may see slightly higher take-home pay in 2026, or can adjust their W-4 withholding accordingly [citation:7].
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay: What's the Difference?
Gross pay is your earnings before any deductions — the number on your offer letter or hourly rate multiplied by hours worked. Net pay is what actually lands in your bank account after all withholdings [citation:2].
The gap between the two surprises many people. For a $72,000 salary, the difference between gross and net can be $15,000–$20,000 per year depending on state and deductions. This calculator shows the federal-only gap; your actual gap will be larger if you pay state income tax.
Why PaycheckCity Is Popular
PaycheckCity offers a suite of free calculators including salary, hourly, bonus, net-to-gross, and 401(k) impact tools [citation:2]. It handles all 50 states, supports multi-state payroll, and is used by both employees estimating their take-home pay and employers running payroll [citation:1].
For employees, the most common use is answering "What will my first paycheck look like?" For employers, it's calculating gross-to-net for payroll runs. This simplified calculator covers the employee use case for federal-only estimates.
🇺🇸 USA Quick Reference — 2026 Paycheck
Factor
2026 Value
Standard deduction (single)
$16,100 [citation:3]
Standard deduction (married joint)
$32,200 [citation:3]
Social Security wage base
$184,500 [citation:9]
Social Security rate (employee)
6.2% [citation:9]
Medicare rate (employee)
1.45% [citation:9]
Bonus withholding flat rate
22% [citation:3]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PaycheckCity calculator work?
The PaycheckCity calculator estimates your take-home pay by deducting federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and other withholdings from your gross earnings. Enter your income, filing status, and deductions to see your net pay [citation:2].
What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?
2026 federal tax brackets are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. For single filers, the 22% bracket starts at $50,401 and the 24% bracket at $105,701. The standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married filing jointly [citation:3][citation:7].
What is the 2026 Social Security wage limit?
For 2026, the Social Security wage base is $184,500. Employees pay 6.2% on wages up to this amount. Medicare tax is 1.45% with no wage limit [citation:9][citation:13].
Does this calculator include state taxes?
This simplified calculator focuses on federal taxes and FICA. State taxes vary significantly by state and are not included. For state-specific estimates, consult your state tax authority or a full payroll calculator [citation:2].
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your earnings before any deductions. Net pay is your take-home pay after federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and other withholdings are subtracted [citation:2].
💡 Expert Tips for Your 2026 Paycheck
Tip #1: Check your W-4 withholding. If you got a big refund last year, you may be over-withholding. Adjust to keep more per paycheck [citation:7].
Tip #2: Max out pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, FSA) to lower taxable income and increase net pay relative to gross.
Tip #3: If you're in a state with no income tax (TX, FL, NV, etc.), your net pay will be closer to the federal-only estimate here.
Tip #4: Bonuses are withheld at a flat 22% rate, but your actual tax rate may differ. You may owe more or get a refund when you file [citation:3].
Tip #5: Use PaycheckCity.com for full state-by-state calculations with local taxes included.
💵 Want to Know Your Exact 2026 Take-Home Pay?
Get a federal-only estimate in 30 seconds using official 2026 tax brackets.
🛡️ CDCalculators PaycheckCity-style calculator 2026 — data sources: IRS 2026 tax brackets, FICA rates, standard deductions. Last updated October 24, 2026. Disclaimer: Simplified federal-only estimate. Not tax advice. Use PaycheckCity.com for full payroll calculations with state and local taxes.