Estimate your take-home pay in Pennsylvania after federal, state, local, and FICA taxes.
Weekly
Bi-Weekly
Semi-Monthly
Monthly
Single
Married Filing Jointly
(This is a simplified input for federal withholding estimation, not directly from the current W-4 form.)(This rate varies by municipality. Common rates are 1% to 3%.)
Understanding Your Pennsylvania Paycheck
When you receive your paycheck in Pennsylvania, several deductions are typically taken out before you see your net pay. This calculator helps you estimate these deductions and understand how they impact your take-home earnings.
Key Deductions Explained:
Federal Income Tax: This is a progressive tax levied by the U.S. government. The amount withheld depends on your gross income, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.), and the information you provide on your W-4 form. Our calculator uses a simplified allowance system for estimation, as the current W-4 form has changed how withholding is calculated.
FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare): These are mandatory federal taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
Social Security: As of 2024, the rate is 6.2% of your gross wages, up to an annual wage base limit of $168,600.
Medicare: As of 2024, the rate is 1.45% of all your gross wages, with no wage base limit.
Pennsylvania State Income Tax: Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate. As of 2024, this rate is 3.07% of your gross taxable income. Unlike federal tax, there are generally no allowances or progressive brackets for PA state income tax.
Pennsylvania Local Income Tax: This is a significant deduction unique to Pennsylvania. Most municipalities (cities, boroughs, townships) and school districts levy a local earned income tax (EIT). The rate varies widely depending on where you live and where you work. It can range from 0% to over 3%. It's crucial to know your specific local tax rate for an accurate calculation. This tax is typically applied to your gross wages.
How to Use the Calculator:
Gross Annual Wage: Enter your total expected earnings for the year before any deductions.
Pay Frequency: Select how often you get paid (e.g., Bi-Weekly for every two weeks).
Federal Filing Status: Choose your federal tax filing status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly).
Federal W-4 Allowances: Input a number for simplified federal withholding. While the IRS W-4 form no longer uses "allowances" directly, many calculators still use this concept for estimation. A higher number generally means less tax withheld.
Additional Federal Withholding: If you want an extra amount withheld from each paycheck for federal taxes, enter it here.
PA Local Income Tax Rate (%): This is critical. Find the specific earned income tax rate for your municipality of residence and/or employment. Enter it as a percentage (e.g., 1.5 for 1.5%).
After entering your details, click "Calculate Net Pay" to see an estimated breakdown of your gross pay, deductions, and net take-home pay per period and annually.
Example Calculation:
Let's say you earn an annual gross wage of $60,000, are paid bi-weekly, file as Single with 2 federal allowances, have no additional federal withholding, and your local PA tax rate is 1.5%.
Gross Annual Wage: $60,000
Pay Frequency: Bi-Weekly (26 pay periods)
Gross Pay Per Period: $60,000 / 26 = $2,307.69
FICA Taxes (SS & Medicare):
Social Security: ($60,000 / 26) * 0.062 = $143.08 per period
Medicare: ($60,000 / 26) * 0.0145 = $33.46 per period
Total FICA: $176.54 per period
PA State Income Tax (3.07%): ($60,000 / 26) * 0.0307 = $70.87 per period
PA Local Income Tax (1.5%): ($60,000 / 26) * 0.015 = $34.62 per period
Federal Income Tax (Estimated): This will vary based on allowances and brackets, but for this example, let's assume it's around $150.00 per period.
Total Deductions: $176.54 (FICA) + $70.87 (PA State) + $34.62 (PA Local) + $150.00 (Federal) = $432.03 per period
Net Pay Per Period: $2,307.69 – $432.03 = $1,875.66
(Note: Federal income tax is an estimate for this example and will be precisely calculated by the tool.)
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function calculateWagePA() {
// Get input values
var grossAnnualWage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossAnnualWage").value);
var payFrequencyMultiplier = parseInt(document.getElementById("payFrequency").value);
var federalFilingStatus = document.getElementById("federalFilingStatus").value;
var federalAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("federalAllowances").value);
var additionalFederalWithholding = parseFloat(document.getElementById("additionalFederalWithholding").value);
var paLocalTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("paLocalTaxRate").value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(grossAnnualWage) || grossAnnualWage < 0) {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Gross Annual Wage.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(federalAllowances) || federalAllowances < 0) {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid number for Federal W-4 Allowances.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(additionalFederalWithholding) || additionalFederalWithholding < 0) {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid amount for Additional Federal Withholding.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(paLocalTaxRate) || paLocalTaxRate < 0) {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid PA Local Income Tax Rate.";
return;
}
// Constants (2024 values)
var FICA_SS_RATE = 0.062;
var FICA_SS_LIMIT = 168600;
var FICA_MED_RATE = 0.0145;
var PA_STATE_TAX_RATE = 0.0307;
// Step 1: Determine Pay Period Gross Wage
var grossPayPerPeriod = grossAnnualWage / payFrequencyMultiplier;
// Step 2: Calculate FICA Taxes
var ssTaxableAnnualWage = Math.min(grossAnnualWage, FICA_SS_LIMIT);
var ssTaxPerPeriod = (ssTaxableAnnualWage / payFrequencyMultiplier) * FICA_SS_RATE;
var medTaxPerPeriod = grossPayPerPeriod * FICA_MED_RATE;
var totalFicaPerPeriod = ssTaxPerPeriod + medTaxPerPeriod;
// Step 3: Calculate PA State Tax
var paStateTaxPerPeriod = grossPayPerPeriod * PA_STATE_TAX_RATE;
// Step 4: Calculate PA Local Income Tax
var localTaxPerPeriod = grossPayPerPeriod * (paLocalTaxRate / 100);
// Step 5: Calculate Federal Income Tax (Simplified Annual then Per-Period)
var federalStandardDeductionAnnual;
var federalAllowanceValueAnnual = 4700; // Simplified allowance value for tax reduction
if (federalFilingStatus === 'Single') {
federalStandardDeductionAnnual = 13850;
} else { // Married Filing Jointly
federalStandardDeductionAnnual = 27700;
}
var annualTaxableIncomeForFederal = grossAnnualWage – federalStandardDeductionAnnual – (federalAllowances * federalAllowanceValueAnnual);
annualTaxableIncomeForFederal = Math.max(0, annualTaxableIncomeForFederal);
var annualFederalTax = 0;
// Federal Tax Brackets (2024)
if (federalFilingStatus === 'Single') {
if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 11600) {
annualFederalTax = annualTaxableIncomeForFederal * 0.10;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 47150) {
annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 11600) * 0.12;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 100525) {
annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 47150) * 0.22;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 191950) {
annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 100525) * 0.24;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 243725) {
annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 191950) * 0.32;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 609350) {
annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 243725) * 0.35;
} else {
annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (609350 – 243725) * 0.35 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 609350) * 0.37;
}
} else { // Married Filing Jointly
if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 23200) {
annualFederalTax = annualTaxableIncomeForFederal * 0.10;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 94300) {
annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 23200) * 0.12;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 201050) {
annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 94300) * 0.22;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 383900) {
annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 201050) * 0.24;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 487450) {
annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 383900) * 0.32;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal <= 731200) {
annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 487450) * 0.35;
} else {
annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (731200 – 487450) * 0.35 + (annualTaxableIncomeForFederal – 731200) * 0.37;
}
}
var federalTaxPerPeriod = (annualFederalTax / payFrequencyMultiplier) + additionalFederalWithholding;
federalTaxPerPeriod = Math.max(0, federalTaxPerPeriod); // Federal tax cannot be negative
// Step 6: Calculate Total Deductions and Net Pay Per Period
var totalDeductionsPerPeriod = federalTaxPerPeriod + totalFicaPerPeriod + paStateTaxPerPeriod + localTaxPerPeriod;
var netPayPerPeriod = grossPayPerPeriod – totalDeductionsPerPeriod;
// Calculate Annual Equivalents
var annualFederalTax = federalTaxPerPeriod * payFrequencyMultiplier;
var annualFicaTax = totalFicaPerPeriod * payFrequencyMultiplier;
var annualPaStateTax = paStateTaxPerPeriod * payFrequencyMultiplier;
var annualLocalTax = localTaxPerPeriod * payFrequencyMultiplier;
var annualTotalDeductions = totalDeductionsPerPeriod * payFrequencyMultiplier;
var annualNetPay = netPayPerPeriod * payFrequencyMultiplier;
// Display Results
var resultsHtml = "