PaycheckMatrix Calculate now

About

About & methodology

An independent paycheck calculator built to make state-by-state take-home pay easy to compare.

What this site does

PaycheckMatrix estimates U.S. take-home pay for the 2026 tax year. It applies federal income tax brackets, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and state income tax rules. It then shows net pay per year, month, semimonthly period, biweekly period, week, and hour.

Data sources

  • Federal brackets and standard deduction: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments).
  • FICA: IRS Publication 15 (2026) — 6.2% Social Security up to $184,500, 1.45% Medicare, and 0.9% additional Medicare above the filing-status threshold.
  • State income tax: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (reviewed 2026-02-11).

Calculation method

  1. Start with gross pay

    Annual salary, or hourly rate × hours per week × weeks per year.

  2. Apply pre-tax contributions

    401(k) contributions reduce federal and state taxable income. Section 125 health/HSA contributions reduce taxable income and FICA wages. The calculator treats the health/HSA field that way.

  3. Federal income tax

    Subtract the 2026 standard deduction, then apply the marginal brackets for your filing status.

  4. FICA

    Social Security on wages up to the wage base, Medicare on all wages, plus additional Medicare above the threshold.

  5. State income tax

    Subtract the state deduction and apply the state's 2026 brackets. States with no wage income tax are set to zero.

  6. Net pay

    Gross minus pre-tax contributions minus total tax.

Known limitations

  • Local, city, and county income taxes are excluded.
  • State standard deductions and personal exemptions are combined; some credits and phaseouts are not modeled.
  • Married-filing-separately and head-of-household use simplified state brackets in many states.
  • Your W-4 elections, employer withholding tables, itemized deductions, and non-wage income are not included.
  • The result is an estimate for planning and comparison, not tax advice.

Editorial independence

PaycheckMatrix is not affiliated with the IRS, any state tax agency, or any payroll provider. If we add affiliate links or advertising in the future, they will not change the calculation methodology.

Corrections

Tax rules change. If you spot an error, email hello@example.com with the state, filing status, and the number you expected. We review corrections against the state's official forms.