Calculate My Paycheck

Paycheck Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate your net pay per pay period after accounting for taxes and deductions. Please note that this is an estimate, and actual withholdings may vary based on specific tax laws, allowances, and additional deductions.

Bi-weekly (26 pay periods/year) Weekly (52 pay periods/year) Semi-monthly (24 pay periods/year) Monthly (12 pay periods/year)
e.g., 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums
e.g., Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues
function calculatePaycheck() { var grossPayPerPeriod = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossPayPerPeriod').value); var federalWithholdingRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('federalWithholdingRate').value) / 100; var stateWithholdingRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('stateWithholdingRate').value) / 100; var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('preTaxDeductions').value); var postTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('postTaxDeductions').value); // Fixed tax rates for Social Security and Medicare var socialSecurityRate = 0.062; // 6.2% var medicareRate = 0.0145; // 1.45% // Validate inputs if (isNaN(grossPayPerPeriod) || grossPayPerPeriod < 0 || isNaN(federalWithholdingRate) || federalWithholdingRate < 0 || isNaN(stateWithholdingRate) || stateWithholdingRate < 0 || isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0 || isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions < 0) { document.getElementById('paycheckResult').innerHTML = 'Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.'; return; } // 1. Calculate Taxable Gross Pay (for income taxes) var taxableGross = grossPayPerPeriod – preTaxDeductions; if (taxableGross < 0) taxableGross = 0; // Cannot have negative taxable income // 2. Calculate FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare) var socialSecurityTax = grossPayPerPeriod * socialSecurityRate; // Note: Social Security has an annual wage base limit, but for simplicity, this calculator applies it to all gross pay per period. var medicareTax = grossPayPerPeriod * medicareRate; // 3. Calculate Federal Income Tax var federalIncomeTax = taxableGross * federalWithholdingRate; if (federalIncomeTax < 0) federalIncomeTax = 0; // 4. Calculate State Income Tax var stateIncomeTax = taxableGross * stateWithholdingRate; if (stateIncomeTax < 0) stateIncomeTax = 0; // 5. Calculate Total Deductions var totalDeductions = preTaxDeductions + socialSecurityTax + medicareTax + federalIncomeTax + stateIncomeTax + postTaxDeductions; // 6. Calculate Net Pay var netPay = grossPayPerPeriod – totalDeductions; // Format results for display var formattedGrossPay = grossPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2); var formattedPreTaxDeductions = preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2); var formattedTaxableGross = taxableGross.toFixed(2); var formattedSocialSecurityTax = socialSecurityTax.toFixed(2); var formattedMedicareTax = medicareTax.toFixed(2); var formattedFederalIncomeTax = federalIncomeTax.toFixed(2); var formattedStateIncomeTax = stateIncomeTax.toFixed(2); var formattedPostTaxDeductions = postTaxDeductions.toFixed(2); var formattedTotalDeductions = totalDeductions.toFixed(2); var formattedNetPay = netPay.toFixed(2); var resultHTML = '

Your Estimated Paycheck Details:

'; resultHTML += 'Gross Pay per Period: $' + formattedGrossPay + "; resultHTML += 'Pre-tax Deductions: -$' + formattedPreTaxDeductions + "; resultHTML += 'Taxable Gross Pay: $' + formattedTaxableGross + "; resultHTML += 'Social Security Tax (' + (socialSecurityRate * 100).toFixed(1) + '%): -$' + formattedSocialSecurityTax + "; resultHTML += 'Medicare Tax (' + (medicareRate * 100).toFixed(2) + '%): -$' + formattedMedicareTax + "; resultHTML += 'Federal Income Tax (' + (federalWithholdingRate * 100).toFixed(2) + '%): -$' + formattedFederalIncomeTax + "; resultHTML += 'State Income Tax (' + (stateWithholdingRate * 100).toFixed(2) + '%): -$' + formattedStateIncomeTax + "; resultHTML += 'Post-tax Deductions: -$' + formattedPostTaxDeductions + "; resultHTML += 'Total Deductions: -$' + formattedTotalDeductions + "; resultHTML += 'Estimated Net Pay per Period: $' + formattedNetPay + "; document.getElementById('paycheckResult').innerHTML = resultHTML; } .calculator-container { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 25px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 600px; margin: 30px auto; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .calculator-container h2 { color: #2c3e50; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 1.8em; } .calculator-container p { color: #555; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 15px; } .calc-input-group { margin-bottom: 18px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; } .calc-input-group label { margin-bottom: 8px; color: #34495e; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.95em; } .calc-input-group input[type="number"], .calc-input-group select { padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 1em; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; transition: border-color 0.3s ease; } .calc-input-group input[type="number"]:focus, .calc-input-group select:focus { border-color: #007bff; outline: none; box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.25); } .calc-input-group small { color: #777; font-size: 0.85em; margin-top: 5px; } .calculate-button { display: block; width: 100%; padding: 15px; background-color: #28a745; color: white; border: none; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; margin-top: 25px; } .calculate-button:hover { background-color: #218838; transform: translateY(-2px); } .calculate-button:active { background-color: #1e7e34; transform: translateY(0); } .calc-result { background-color: #e9f7ef; border: 1px solid #d4edda; border-radius: 8px; padding: 20px; margin-top: 30px; font-size: 1.1em; color: #155724; } .calc-result h3 { color: #218838; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 15px; font-size: 1.4em; text-align: center; } .calc-result p { margin-bottom: 8px; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; padding-bottom: 5px; border-bottom: 1px dashed #c3e6cb; } .calc-result p:last-of-type { border-bottom: none; margin-bottom: 0; } .calc-result .highlight { font-size: 1.3em; font-weight: bold; color: #007bff; margin-top: 15px; padding-top: 10px; border-top: 2px solid #007bff; } .calc-result .error { color: #dc3545; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; }

Understanding Your Paycheck: A Comprehensive Guide

For many, a paycheck is more than just a number; it's the culmination of hard work and the foundation of financial planning. However, deciphering the various deductions and taxes can often feel like reading a foreign language. Our Paycheck Calculator is designed to demystify this process, helping you understand how your gross earnings transform into your net take-home pay.

What is Gross Pay?

Gross pay is the total amount of money you earn before any deductions or taxes are withheld. If you're salaried, this is your annual salary divided by your pay periods. If you're hourly, it's your hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours worked in a pay period, plus any overtime or bonuses.

The Journey from Gross to Net: Key Deductions

Your gross pay is subject to several deductions, which can be broadly categorized into pre-tax deductions, taxes, and post-tax deductions.

1. Pre-tax Deductions

These are amounts taken out of your gross pay before income taxes are calculated. Because they reduce your taxable income, they can lower your overall tax liability. Common pre-tax deductions include:

  • 401(k) or 403(b) Contributions: Money you contribute to your retirement savings plan.
  • Health Insurance Premiums: Your share of the cost for health, dental, or vision insurance.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Funds set aside for healthcare or dependent care expenses.

2. Taxes

Taxes are mandatory withholdings that fund various government services. The main types you'll see on your paycheck are:

  • Federal Income Tax: This is withheld based on the information you provide on your W-4 form (filing status, dependents, additional withholding). The more allowances you claim, the less tax is withheld, but you might owe more at tax time.
  • State Income Tax: Similar to federal income tax, but levied by your state. Not all states have state income tax.
  • Social Security Tax (FICA): This funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. The current rate is 6.2% of your gross wages, up to an annual wage base limit (which changes yearly).
  • Medicare Tax (FICA): This funds hospital insurance for the elderly and disabled. The current rate is 1.45% of all your gross wages, with no wage base limit. An additional Medicare tax of 0.9% applies to wages above a certain threshold for high earners.

3. Post-tax Deductions

These deductions are taken out of your pay *after* all applicable taxes have been calculated and withheld. They do not reduce your taxable income. Examples include:

  • Roth 401(k) Contributions: Unlike traditional 401(k)s, these are funded with after-tax dollars, meaning qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
  • Union Dues: Fees paid to a labor union.
  • Garnishments: Court-ordered deductions for debts like child support or unpaid taxes.
  • Charitable Contributions: If deducted directly from your paycheck.

What is Net Pay?

Net pay, often referred to as "take-home pay," is the amount of money you actually receive after all taxes and deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. This is the money that gets deposited into your bank account or issued as a physical check.

How to Use Our Paycheck Calculator

Our calculator simplifies the process of estimating your net pay. Simply input the following details:

  1. Gross Pay per Pay Period: Your total earnings before any deductions for a single pay period.
  2. Pay Frequency: Select how often you get paid (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).
  3. Federal Income Tax Withholding Rate (%): An estimated percentage based on your W-4. If unsure, use a common estimate or consult your HR/payroll department.
  4. State Income Tax Withholding Rate (%): An estimated percentage for your state.
  5. Pre-tax Deductions per Pay Period: The total amount of pre-tax deductions (e.g., 401k, health insurance) for one pay period.
  6. Post-tax Deductions per Pay Period: The total amount of post-tax deductions (e.g., Roth 401k, union dues) for one pay period.

Click "Calculate Paycheck," and you'll receive a detailed breakdown of your estimated net pay and all the deductions.

Why is This Calculator Important?

  • Budgeting: Knowing your exact take-home pay is crucial for creating an accurate budget and managing your monthly expenses.
  • Financial Planning: It helps you understand the impact of different deductions (like increasing 401(k) contributions) on your net income.
  • Tax Planning: By seeing your estimated withholdings, you can adjust your W-4 if you find you're over- or under-withholding.
  • Understanding Your Earnings: It provides transparency into how your gross earnings are allocated.

Disclaimer

This Paycheck Calculator provides an estimate based on the information you provide and standard tax rates. Actual withholdings can vary due to specific state and local tax laws, individual tax situations (e.g., tax credits, additional income), and annual changes in tax regulations or wage base limits. Always consult with a financial advisor or your HR/payroll department for precise figures.

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