Understanding Your New Jersey Paycheck: A Comprehensive Guide
Navigating your paycheck can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code. For residents of New Jersey, understanding the various deductions, from federal and state income taxes to specific NJ-mandated contributions, is crucial for financial planning. Our New Jersey Paycheck Calculator is designed to help you estimate your net pay, providing clarity on how your gross earnings translate into the money you take home.
What is a Paycheck Calculator?
A paycheck calculator is a tool that estimates your net pay (take-home pay) by subtracting various deductions and taxes from your gross pay. It considers factors like your gross wages, pay frequency, federal and state tax withholdings, and other pre-tax and post-tax deductions.
Key Components of Your NJ Paycheck
Your New Jersey paycheck typically includes several deductions. Here's a breakdown of the most common ones:
1. Gross Pay
This is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out. It includes your regular wages, overtime, bonuses, and commissions.
2. Federal Income Tax
This is money withheld from your paycheck and sent to the IRS to cover your federal income tax liability. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household), and the number of allowances or dependents you claim on your W-4 form. While our calculator provides an estimate, the actual amount can vary based on the precise IRS withholding tables.
3. FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
Social Security: This tax funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Employees contribute 6.2% of their gross wages up to an annual wage base limit (e.g., $168,600 for 2024).
Medicare: This tax funds health insurance for seniors and people with certain disabilities. Employees contribute 1.45% of all gross wages, with no wage base limit.
4. New Jersey State Income Tax
New Jersey has a progressive income tax system, meaning higher earners pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household), and the number of allowances you claim on your NJ W-4 form. Our calculator uses simplified NJ tax brackets for estimation.
5. New Jersey Unemployment Insurance (UI)
This is an employee contribution that helps fund unemployment benefits for eligible workers. For 2024, employees contribute 0.425% of their wages up to an annual wage base limit (e.g., $42,300 for 2024).
6. New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)
TDI provides temporary cash benefits to eligible workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury, or during periods of pregnancy and childbirth. For 2024, there is no employee contribution for TDI.
7. New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI)
FLI provides cash benefits to eligible workers who need to take time off to bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill family member. For 2024, employees contribute 0.09% of their wages up to an annual wage base limit (e.g., $42,300 for 2024).
8. Pre-Tax Deductions
These are deductions taken from your gross pay before taxes are calculated, which reduces your taxable income. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan, health insurance premiums, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions.
9. Post-Tax Deductions
These deductions are taken from your pay after taxes have been calculated. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, or certain charitable contributions.
How to Use the NJ Paycheck Calculator
Simply enter your gross pay per pay period, select your pay frequency, choose your federal and state filing statuses and allowances, and input any pre-tax or post-tax deductions. Click "Calculate Paycheck" to see an estimated breakdown of your net pay and deductions.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current tax laws and common withholding methods. It is not financial or tax advice. Actual withholdings may vary based on specific circumstances, additional income, and precise tax table calculations used by your employer's payroll system. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
New Jersey Paycheck Calculator
Weekly
Bi-Weekly
Semi-Monthly
Monthly
Federal Withholding
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
New Jersey State Withholding
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
Deductions
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function calculatePaycheck() {
// Input values
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossPay").value);
var payFrequency = 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 njFilingStatus = document.getElementById("njFilingStatus").value;
var njAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("njAllowances").value);
var additionalNjWithholding = parseFloat(document.getElementById("additionalNjWithholding").value);
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("preTaxDeductions").value);
var postTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("postTaxDeductions").value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Gross Pay per Pay Period.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(federalAllowances) || federalAllowances < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Federal Dependents.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(additionalFederalWithholding) || additionalFederalWithholding < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Additional Federal Withholding.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(njAllowances) || njAllowances < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for NJ Allowances.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(additionalNjWithholding) || additionalNjWithholding < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Additional NJ Withholding.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Pre-Tax Deductions.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions 0) {
if (federalFilingStatus === "single") {
if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 11600) federalTax = annualFederalTaxableIncome * 0.10;
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 47150) federalTax = 1160 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 11600) * 0.12);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 100525) federalTax = 5426 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 47150) * 0.22);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 191950) federalTax = 17167.50 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 100525) * 0.24);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 243725) federalTax = 39115.50 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 191950) * 0.32);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 609350) federalTax = 55678.50 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 243725) * 0.35);
else federalTax = 183647.25 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 609350) * 0.37);
} else if (federalFilingStatus === "married") {
if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 23200) federalTax = annualFederalTaxableIncome * 0.10;
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 94300) federalTax = 2320 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 23200) * 0.12);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 201050) federalTax = 10852 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 94300) * 0.22);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 383900) federalTax = 34335 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 201050) * 0.24);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 487450) federalTax = 78231 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 383900) * 0.32);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 731200) federalTax = 111359 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 487450) * 0.35);
else federalTax = 196606.50 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 731200) * 0.37);
} else if (federalFilingStatus === "hoh") {
if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 16550) federalTax = annualFederalTaxableIncome * 0.10;
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 63100) federalTax = 1655 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 16550) * 0.12);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 100500) federalTax = 7247 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 63100) * 0.22);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 191950) federalTax = 15463 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 100500) * 0.24);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome <= 243700) federalTax = 37411 + ((annualFederalTaxableIncome – 191950) * 0.32);
else if (annualFederalTaxableIncome 0) {
if (njFilingStatus === "single") { // NJ treats single and married filing separately the same for brackets
if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 20000) njStateTax = annualNjTaxableIncome * 0.014;
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 35000) njStateTax = 280 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 20000) * 0.0175);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 40000) njStateTax = 542.50 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 35000) * 0.035);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 75000) njStateTax = 717.50 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 40000) * 0.05525);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 150000) njStateTax = 2651.25 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 75000) * 0.0637);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 500000) njStateTax = 7428.75 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 150000) * 0.0897);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 1000000) njStateTax = 38823.75 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 500000) * 0.1075);
else njStateTax = 92573.75 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 1000000) * 0.1075); // NJ has higher brackets for very high income, simplifying here
} else if (njFilingStatus === "married" || njFilingStatus === "hoh") { // NJ treats MFJ and HOH the same for brackets
if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 20000) njStateTax = annualNjTaxableIncome * 0.014;
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 50000) njStateTax = 280 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 20000) * 0.0175);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 70000) njStateTax = 805 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 50000) * 0.0245);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 80000) njStateTax = 1295 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 70000) * 0.035);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 100000) njStateTax = 1645 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 80000) * 0.05525);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 150000) njStateTax = 2750 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 100000) * 0.0637);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 500000) njStateTax = 5935 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 150000) * 0.0897);
else if (annualNjTaxableIncome <= 1000000) njStateTax = 37320 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 500000) * 0.1075);
else njStateTax = 91070 + ((annualNjTaxableIncome – 1000000) * 0.1075); // NJ has higher brackets for very high income, simplifying here
}
}
njStateTax = (njStateTax / payFrequency) + additionalNjWithholding;
njStateTax = Math.max(0, njStateTax); // NJ tax cannot be negative
// — NJ UI, TDI, FLI —
var njWageBase = 42300; // 2024 limit
var njUiRate = 0.00425; // 0.425%
var njTdiRate = 0.00; // 0.00% for employee
var njFliRate = 0.0009; // 0.09%
var taxableNjStateDeductionsGross = grossPay; // These are generally on gross pay
var njUiTax = Math.min(taxableNjStateDeductionsGross, (njWageBase / payFrequency)) * njUiRate;
var njTdiTax = Math.min(taxableNjStateDeductionsGross, (njWageBase / payFrequency)) * njTdiRate;
var njFliTax = Math.min(taxableNjStateDeductionsGross, (njWageBase / payFrequency)) * njFliRate;
// — Total Deductions —
var totalDeductions = preTaxDeductions + socialSecurityTax + medicareTax + federalTax + njStateTax + njUiTax + njTdiTax + njFliTax + postTaxDeductions;
// — Net Pay —
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductions;
// Format results
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 2,
maximumFractionDigits: 2
});
var resultHtml = "