Use this calculator to estimate your net pay per pay period in Virginia, taking into account federal and state taxes, as well as common deductions. This tool provides an estimate and should not be considered tax advice.
Weekly
Bi-weekly
Semi-monthly
Monthly
Federal Withholding Information
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Enter the total amount from Step 3 (Dependents) and Step 4a (Other Income Adjustments) of your W-4. For simplicity, each allowance is approximated to reduce annual taxable income by $4,700.
Virginia State Withholding Information
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Enter the number of dependents you claim for Virginia state tax purposes (VA-4).
Deductions
Understanding Your Virginia Paycheck
Navigating your paycheck can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code. This Virginia Paycheck Calculator is designed to help you understand how your gross earnings transform into your net take-home pay, considering federal and state taxes, as well as common deductions.
Key Components of Your Paycheck
Every paycheck starts with your gross pay and then undergoes a series of deductions before you receive your net pay. Here's a breakdown:
Gross Pay: This is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out. It's based on your hourly wage or salary and the number of hours or periods worked.
Pre-tax Deductions: These are amounts subtracted from your gross pay before federal and state income taxes are calculated. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan, health insurance premiums, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions. Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income.
Taxable Income: This is the portion of your gross pay that is subject to federal and state income taxes after pre-tax deductions.
Federal Taxes: These include Social Security, Medicare, and Federal Income Tax.
Virginia State Taxes: This primarily refers to Virginia's state income tax.
Post-tax Deductions: These are amounts subtracted from your pay after all taxes have been calculated and withheld. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, garnishments, or certain charitable contributions.
Net Pay: This is your take-home pay – the amount you actually receive after all taxes and deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay.
Federal Tax Details
Federal taxes are a significant portion of your paycheck deductions:
Social Security Tax: This funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. The current rate is 6.2% of your gross pay, up to an annual wage base limit ($168,600 for 2024). Once you earn above this limit in a calendar year, you no longer pay Social Security tax on additional earnings.
Medicare Tax: This funds hospital insurance for the elderly and disabled. The rate is 1.45% of all your gross pay, with no wage base limit. There's an additional Medicare tax of 0.9% for high earners, but this calculator simplifies by not including it.
Federal Income Tax: This is the most variable federal tax. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.), and the allowances/adjustments you claim on your W-4 form. The more allowances you claim, the less federal income tax is withheld, but you risk owing more at tax time if you claim too many.
Virginia State Tax Details
Virginia 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, and the number of dependents you claim on your Virginia Form VA-4.
Virginia Income Tax Brackets (2024):
2.0% on income up to $3,000
3.0% on income over $3,000 up to $5,000
5.0% on income over $5,000 up to $17,000
5.75% on income over $17,000
Virginia Standard Deduction (2024):
Single: $8,500
Married Filing Jointly: $17,000
Virginia Exemptions (2024): You can claim exemptions for yourself, your spouse, and each dependent. Each exemption reduces your taxable income by $930.
Deductions Explained
Pre-tax Deductions: These are powerful because they reduce your taxable income for federal and state income taxes. This means you pay less in income tax. Examples include contributions to traditional 401(k)s, health savings accounts (HSAs), and health insurance premiums.
Post-tax Deductions: These deductions are taken from your pay after all applicable taxes have been calculated and withheld. They do not reduce your taxable income. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, or certain charitable contributions.
How to Use the Calculator
Enter Gross Pay per Period: Input your total earnings for one pay period before any deductions.
Select Pay Frequency: Choose how often you are paid (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly).
Provide Federal Withholding Info: Select your federal filing status and the number of allowances you claim on your W-4.
Provide Virginia Withholding Info: Select your Virginia filing status and the number of dependents you claim on your VA-4.
Input Deductions: Enter any pre-tax and post-tax deductions you have per pay period.
Click "Calculate Paycheck": The calculator will then provide an estimated breakdown of your taxes and net pay.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides an estimate based on current tax laws and common withholding methods. It does not account for all possible scenarios, such as specific tax credits, additional Medicare tax for high earners, or local taxes. For precise tax advice or to understand your specific tax situation, please consult a qualified tax professional or refer to official IRS and Virginia Department of Taxation resources.
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function calculatePaycheck() {
// Get input values
var grossPayPerPeriod = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossPayPerPeriod").value);
var payFrequency = parseFloat(document.getElementById("payFrequency").value); // periods per year
var federalFilingStatus = document.getElementById("federalFilingStatus").value;
var federalAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("federalAllowances").value);
var virginiaFilingStatus = document.getElementById("virginiaFilingStatus").value;
var virginiaDependents = parseInt(document.getElementById("virginiaDependents").value);
var preTaxDeductionsPerPeriod = parseFloat(document.getElementById("preTaxDeductions").value);
var postTaxDeductionsPerPeriod = parseFloat(document.getElementById("postTaxDeductions").value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(grossPayPerPeriod) || grossPayPerPeriod < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Gross Pay per Period.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(federalAllowances) || federalAllowances < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Federal Allowances.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(virginiaDependents) || virginiaDependents < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Virginia Dependents.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(preTaxDeductionsPerPeriod) || preTaxDeductionsPerPeriod < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid amount for Pre-tax Deductions.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(postTaxDeductionsPerPeriod) || postTaxDeductionsPerPeriod < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid amount for Post-tax Deductions.");
return;
}
// Annualize values
var annualGrossPay = grossPayPerPeriod * payFrequency;
var annualPreTaxDeductions = preTaxDeductionsPerPeriod * payFrequency;
var annualPostTaxDeductions = postTaxDeductionsPerPeriod * payFrequency;
// — Federal Tax Calculations (2024 figures) —
// 1. Social Security Tax
var socialSecurityRate = 0.062;
var socialSecurityLimit = 168600; // 2024 limit
var annualSocialSecurityTax = Math.min(annualGrossPay, socialSecurityLimit) * socialSecurityRate;
var socialSecurityTaxPerPeriod = annualSocialSecurityTax / payFrequency;
// 2. Medicare Tax
var medicareRate = 0.0145;
var annualMedicareTax = annualGrossPay * medicareRate;
var medicareTaxPerPeriod = annualMedicareTax / payFrequency;
// 3. Federal Income Tax (Simplified for calculator, using approximate brackets and allowance value)
var federalTaxableIncome = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions;
var federalAllowanceReduction = federalAllowances * 4700; // Approx. value per allowance for 2023/2024 withholding
federalTaxableIncome = Math.max(0, federalTaxableIncome – federalAllowanceReduction);
var annualFederalIncomeTax = 0;
if (federalFilingStatus === 'single') {
if (federalTaxableIncome <= 11600) { // 2024 standard deduction for single
annualFederalIncomeTax = 0; // Effectively 0% up to standard deduction for withholding
} else if (federalTaxableIncome <= 23200) { // 11600 + 11600 (10% bracket)
annualFederalIncomeTax = (federalTaxableIncome – 11600) * 0.10;
} else if (federalTaxableIncome <= 50000) { // 23200 + 26800 (12% bracket)
annualFederalIncomeTax = (11600 * 0.10) + (federalTaxableIncome – 23200) * 0.12;
} else if (federalTaxableIncome <= 100000) { // 50000 + 50000 (22% bracket)
annualFederalIncomeTax = (11600 * 0.10) + (26800 * 0.12) + (federalTaxableIncome – 50000) * 0.22;
} else if (federalTaxableIncome <= 150000) { // 100000 + 50000 (24% bracket)
annualFederalIncomeTax = (11600 * 0.10) + (26800 * 0.12) + (50000 * 0.22) + (federalTaxableIncome – 100000) * 0.24;
} else { // Simplified higher bracket
annualFederalIncomeTax = (11600 * 0.10) + (26800 * 0.12) + (50000 * 0.22) + (50000 * 0.24) + (federalTaxableIncome – 150000) * 0.32;
}
} else { // Married Filing Jointly
if (federalTaxableIncome <= 23200) { // 2024 standard deduction for MFJ
annualFederalIncomeTax = 0;
} else if (federalTaxableIncome <= 46400) { // 23200 + 23200 (10% bracket)
annualFederalIncomeTax = (federalTaxableIncome – 23200) * 0.10;
} else if (federalTaxableIncome <= 100000) { // 46400 + 53600 (12% bracket)
annualFederalIncomeTax = (23200 * 0.10) + (federalTaxableIncome – 46400) * 0.12;
} else if (federalTaxableIncome <= 200000) { // 100000 + 100000 (22% bracket)
annualFederalIncomeTax = (23200 * 0.10) + (53600 * 0.12) + (federalTaxableIncome – 100000) * 0.22;
} else if (federalTaxableIncome 0) {
if (vaTaxableIncome <= 3000) {
annualVirginiaIncomeTax = vaTaxableIncome * 0.02;
} else if (vaTaxableIncome <= 5000) {
annualVirginiaIncomeTax = (3000 * 0.02) + ((vaTaxableIncome – 3000) * 0.03);
} else if (vaTaxableIncome <= 17000) {
annualVirginiaIncomeTax = (3000 * 0.02) + (2000 * 0.03) + ((vaTaxableIncome – 5000) * 0.05);
} else {
annualVirginiaIncomeTax = (3000 * 0.02) + (2000 * 0.03) + (12000 * 0.05) + ((vaTaxableIncome – 17000) * 0.0575);
}
}
annualVirginiaIncomeTax = Math.max(0, annualVirginiaIncomeTax); // Ensure tax is not negative
var virginiaIncomeTaxPerPeriod = annualVirginiaIncomeTax / payFrequency;
// — Total Deductions and Net Pay —
var totalFederalTaxesPerPeriod = socialSecurityTaxPerPeriod + medicareTaxPerPeriod + federalIncomeTaxPerPeriod;
var totalStateTaxesPerPeriod = virginiaIncomeTaxPerPeriod;
var totalPreTaxDeductionsPerPeriod = preTaxDeductionsPerPeriod;
var totalPostTaxDeductionsPerPeriod = postTaxDeductionsPerPeriod;
var totalDeductionsPerPeriod = totalFederalTaxesPerPeriod + totalStateTaxesPerPeriod + totalPreTaxDeductionsPerPeriod + totalPostTaxDeductionsPerPeriod;
var netPayPerPeriod = grossPayPerPeriod – totalDeductionsPerPeriod;
var annualNetPay = netPayPerPeriod * payFrequency;
// Display results
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
resultDiv.innerHTML = `
Estimated Paycheck Breakdown
Gross Pay per Period: $${grossPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Annual Gross Pay: $${annualGrossPay.toFixed(2)}
Deductions per Period:
Federal Income Tax: $${federalIncomeTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Social Security Tax: $${socialSecurityTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Medicare Tax: $${medicareTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Virginia Income Tax: $${virginiaIncomeTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Pre-tax Deductions: $${preTaxDeductionsPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Post-tax Deductions: $${postTaxDeductionsPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Total Deductions per Period: $${totalDeductionsPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Net Pay per Period: $${netPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Annual Net Pay: $${annualNetPay.toFixed(2)}
`;
}