Frequently asked questions

Gross pay minus pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, health insurance), minus federal income tax (2026 IRS brackets applied to taxable income), minus state income tax, minus FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%, plus Additional Medicare 0.9% above $200,000).

Gross is what you earn before any taxes or deductions. Net (take-home) is what actually hits your bank account after federal tax, state tax, FICA, and any pre- or post-tax deductions.

Taxable income is your gross wages minus pre-tax deductions (401(k), traditional IRA contributions made through payroll, HSA, FSA, pre-tax health/dental/vision premiums) and minus the standard or itemized deduction at the federal level.

We update every year when the IRS publishes new brackets, the SSA announces the new Social Security wage base, and states publish revised withholding tables. The 2026 numbers reflect IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and OBBBA changes.

This is an estimate, not a payroll-exact figure. Excluded items include: itemized deductions, state/local tax deductions, charitable contributions, student-loan interest, HSA above the contribution limit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, education credits, personal/dependent exemptions, W-4 allowances, local/city/county taxes, employee-paid SUI/SDI, garnishments, post-tax deductions (Roth 401(k), life insurance), equity compensation, bonus/special supplemental withholding, and employer-specific benefits or extra withholding elections.

Single filers: 10% up to $12,400, 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775, 32% to $256,225, 35% to $640,600, 37% above. Brackets roughly double for married filing jointly. Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

$16,100 single / married filing separately, $32,200 married filing jointly / qualifying surviving spouse, $24,150 head of household.

Starting tax year 2026, eligible workers can deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 MFJ) of the overtime premium portion (the 0.5× above straight time on time-and-a-half) from federal taxable income. It's claimed on your return, not adjusted in payroll withholding.

Workers in customarily tipped occupations can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tip income from federal taxable income starting tax year 2026. Like the overtime deduction, it's a return-filed deduction, not a payroll change.

FICA = Social Security (6.2% on wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500) + Medicare (1.45% on all wages, with no cap).

$184,500. Earnings above that amount in 2026 are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security portion.

An extra 0.9% Medicare tax on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Employers begin withholding it once an individual's YTD wages with that employer exceed $200,000.

No — FICA is not refunded through your 1040. The only way to recover excess Social Security tax is if you had two or more employers and their combined withholding exceeded the wage base limit.

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (wages — interest/dividend tax fully repealed by 2025), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Utah all use a single flat rate (with some additional local taxes in PA and IN).

Cities like New York City, Yonkers, Philadelphia, and many Ohio municipalities levy additional income taxes. Our state pages note when local taxes meaningfully change take-home pay.

Generally both — your resident state taxes worldwide income and your work state taxes wages earned there. Most states grant a credit for taxes paid to another state. Reciprocity agreements simplify some neighboring-state combinations.

Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce federal and most state taxable income today. The 2026 limit is $23,500 for under-50, with a $7,500 catch-up for 50+. Always contribute at least enough to capture any employer match.

Traditional 401(k) lowers today's taxable income; you pay tax on withdrawals in retirement. Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax dollars; qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Roth doesn't reduce current take-home pay.

HSA contributions through payroll are pre-tax for federal income tax, state income tax (most states), and FICA — making it one of the most tax-efficient accounts available. 2026 limits: $4,400 self-only / $8,750 family.

If offered through a Section 125 cafeteria plan (most employer plans), yes — they reduce federal, state, and FICA taxable wages. Marketplace premiums paid outside of payroll are not pre-tax.

Annual ÷ 2,080 = hourly (40 hours/week × 52 weeks). A $65,000 salary ≈ $31.25/hour.

Hourly × 2,080 = annual gross. $25/hour ≈ $52,000/year before taxes.

Weekly = 52, bi-weekly = 26, semi-monthly = 24, monthly = 12. Bi-weekly and semi-monthly are NOT the same — bi-weekly gives you two months a year with three paychecks.

No — overtime is taxed at the same marginal rates as regular wages. It can feel higher because a one-time spike in gross pay pushes that period's withholding higher, but it evens out at tax time.

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Use this as a planning estimate. For filing, rely on your W-2, payroll provider, or a licensed tax professional. Tax law changes and individual situations (dependents, credits, multiple jobs) can shift the final number.

Yes — 2026 federal brackets, standard deductions, Social Security wage base ($184,500), Additional Medicare thresholds, and state rates are all in effect.