function calculatePaycheck() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var hourlyWage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hourlyWage").value);
var hoursWorked = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hoursWorked").value);
var payPeriod = document.getElementById("payPeriod").value;
var federalFilingStatus = document.getElementById("federalFilingStatus").value;
var federalAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("federalAllowances").value);
var njFilingStatus = document.getElementById("njFilingStatus").value; // Not directly used in NJ tax calculation, but good to have.
var njAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("njAllowances").value);
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("preTaxDeductions").value);
var postTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("postTaxDeductions").value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(hourlyWage) || hourlyWage < 0) hourlyWage = 0;
if (isNaN(hoursWorked) || hoursWorked < 0) hoursWorked = 0;
if (isNaN(federalAllowances) || federalAllowances < 0) federalAllowances = 0;
if (isNaN(njAllowances) || njAllowances < 0) njAllowances = 0;
if (isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0) preTaxDeductions = 0;
if (isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions < 0) postTaxDeductions = 0;
// Determine number of pay periods per year
var numPayPeriods;
switch (payPeriod) {
case "weekly": numPayPeriods = 52; break;
case "bi-weekly": numPayPeriods = 26; break;
case "semi-monthly": numPayPeriods = 24; break;
case "monthly": numPayPeriods = 12; break;
default: numPayPeriods = 26; // Default to bi-weekly
}
// 2. Calculate Gross Pay
var grossPay = hourlyWage * hoursWorked;
// 3. Calculate Pre-tax Deductions
var taxableGrossFederal = grossPay – preTaxDeductions;
var taxableGrossNJ = grossPay – preTaxDeductions; // NJ also allows pre-tax deductions
// Ensure taxable gross doesn't go below zero
if (taxableGrossFederal < 0) taxableGrossFederal = 0;
if (taxableGrossNJ < 0) taxableGrossNJ = 0;
// 4. Calculate FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
var socialSecurityTax = 0;
var medicareTax = 0;
var annualGrossPay = grossPay * numPayPeriods;
// Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600 for 2024)
var ssWageBaseLimit = 168600; // 2024 limit
// For a single pay period, we apply the rate. A more accurate system would track cumulative wages.
socialSecurityTax = grossPay * 0.062;
// Medicare (1.45% no limit)
medicareTax = grossPay * 0.0145;
// 5. Calculate Federal Income Tax (Simplified 2024)
var federalTax = 0;
var annualTaxableIncomeFederal = taxableGrossFederal * numPayPeriods;
// Standard Deduction (2024)
var federalStandardDeduction = (federalFilingStatus === "married") ? 29200 : 14600;
// Allowance value (simplified for withholding)
var federalAllowanceValue = 5000; // Common simplified value for withholding
var adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal = annualTaxableIncomeFederal – federalStandardDeduction – (federalAllowances * federalAllowanceValue);
if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal < 0) adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal = 0;
// Federal Tax Brackets (2024)
if (federalFilingStatus === "single") {
if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 11600) {
federalTax = adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal * 0.10;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 47150) {
federalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 11600) * 0.12;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 100525) {
federalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 47150) * 0.22;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 191950) {
federalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 100525) * 0.24;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 243725) {
federalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 191950) * 0.32;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 609350) {
federalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 243725) * 0.35;
} else {
federalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (609350 – 243725) * 0.35 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 609350) * 0.37;
}
} else { // Married Filing Jointly
if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 23200) {
federalTax = adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal * 0.10;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 94300) {
federalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 23200) * 0.12;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 201050) {
federalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 94300) * 0.22;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 383900) {
federalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 201050) * 0.24;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 487450) {
federalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 383900) * 0.32;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal <= 731200) {
federalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 487450) * 0.35;
} else {
federalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (731200 – 487450) * 0.35 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeFederal – 731200) * 0.37;
}
}
federalTax = federalTax / numPayPeriods; // Convert annual tax to per-pay-period tax
if (federalTax < 0) federalTax = 0;
// 6. Calculate NJ State Income Tax (Simplified 2024)
var njStateTax = 0;
var annualTaxableIncomeNJ = taxableGrossNJ * numPayPeriods;
// NJ Allowance value (simplified for withholding)
var njAllowanceValue = 1000; // Each allowance reduces taxable income by $1,000
var adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ = annualTaxableIncomeNJ – (njAllowances * njAllowanceValue);
if (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ < 0) adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ = 0;
// NJ Tax Brackets (2024 – same for all filers, allowances adjust effective tax)
if (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ <= 20000) {
njStateTax = adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ * 0.014;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ <= 35000) {
njStateTax = 20000 * 0.014 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ – 20000) * 0.0175;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ <= 40000) {
njStateTax = 20000 * 0.014 + (35000 – 20000) * 0.0175 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ – 35000) * 0.035;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ <= 75000) {
njStateTax = 20000 * 0.014 + (35000 – 20000) * 0.0175 + (40000 – 35000) * 0.035 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ – 40000) * 0.05525;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ <= 500000) {
njStateTax = 20000 * 0.014 + (35000 – 20000) * 0.0175 + (40000 – 35000) * 0.035 + (75000 – 40000) * 0.05525 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ – 75000) * 0.0637;
} else if (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ <= 1000000) {
njStateTax = 20000 * 0.014 + (35000 – 20000) * 0.0175 + (40000 – 35000) * 0.035 + (75000 – 40000) * 0.05525 + (500000 – 75000) * 0.0637 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ – 500000) * 0.0897;
} else {
njStateTax = 20000 * 0.014 + (35000 – 20000) * 0.0175 + (40000 – 35000) * 0.035 + (75000 – 40000) * 0.05525 + (500000 – 75000) * 0.0637 + (1000000 – 500000) * 0.0897 + (adjustedTaxableIncomeNJ – 1000000) * 0.1075;
}
njStateTax = njStateTax / numPayPeriods; // Convert annual tax to per-pay-period tax
if (njStateTax < 0) njStateTax = 0;
// 7. Calculate NJ UI/DI/FLI (Employee Contributions 2024)
var njUIDI = 0;
var njUIWageBaseLimit = 42300; // 2024 limit
var njUIRate = 0.00425; // 0.425%
// For UI, we need to consider the annual wage base.
// Similar to SS, for a single paycheck, we apply the rate.
// A more complex system would track cumulative wages.
njUIDI = grossPay * njUIRate;
// DI and FLI employee contributions are 0% for 2024.
// 8. Calculate Total Deductions
var totalDeductions = preTaxDeductions + socialSecurityTax + medicareTax + federalTax + njStateTax + njUIDI + postTaxDeductions;
// 9. Calculate Net Pay
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductions;
// 10. Display Results
document.getElementById("grossPayResult").innerHTML = "$" + grossPay.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("federalTaxResult").innerHTML = "$" + federalTax.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("socialSecurityTaxResult").innerHTML = "$" + socialSecurityTax.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("medicareTaxResult").innerHTML = "$" + medicareTax.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("njStateTaxResult").innerHTML = "$" + njStateTax.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("njUIDIResult").innerHTML = "$" + njUIDI.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("preTaxDeductionsResult").innerHTML = "$" + preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("postTaxDeductionsResult").innerHTML = "$" + postTaxDeductions.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("totalDeductionsResult").innerHTML = "$" + totalDeductions.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("netPayResult").innerHTML = "$" + netPay.toFixed(2);
}
// Calculate on page load with default values
window.onload = calculatePaycheck;
Understanding Your New Jersey Hourly Paycheck
Navigating your paycheck can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code. This New Jersey Hourly Paycheck Calculator is designed to help you understand how your hourly wage translates into your take-home pay, accounting for federal and state taxes, as well as common deductions specific to New Jersey.
Key Components of Your Paycheck
Every paycheck starts with your gross earnings and then subtracts various deductions to arrive at your net pay. Here's a breakdown:
1. Gross Pay
This is your total earnings before any deductions. For hourly employees, it's simply your hourly wage multiplied by the number of hours worked in a pay period.
Gross Pay = Hourly Wage × Hours Worked
2. Federal Income Tax
The amount withheld for federal income tax depends on your gross income, filing status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly), and the number of allowances you claim on your W-4 form. The U.S. has a progressive tax system, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes. Our calculator uses simplified 2024 federal tax brackets and standard deductions for estimation.
3. FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
- Social Security: This tax funds benefits for retirees, the disabled, and survivors. Employees contribute 6.2% of their gross wages up to an annual wage base limit ($168,600 for 2024).
- Medicare: This tax funds health insurance for the elderly and disabled. Employees contribute 1.45% of all gross wages, with no wage base limit.
These taxes are mandatory federal deductions.
4. New Jersey State Income Tax
New Jersey has its own progressive income tax system. The amount withheld depends on your gross income and the number of allowances you claim on your NJ-W4 form. Our calculator uses simplified 2024 NJ tax brackets and allowance values for estimation.
5. New Jersey Unemployment, Disability, and Family Leave Insurance (UI/DI/FLI)
New Jersey requires employee contributions to these state programs. For 2024, employees contribute to:
- Unemployment Insurance (UI): 0.425% of wages up to an annual wage base limit ($42,300 for 2024).
- Disability Insurance (DI) & Family Leave Insurance (FLI): For 2024, the employee contribution rate for both DI and FLI is 0.00%.
Our calculator includes the UI contribution based on current rates.
6. Pre-tax Deductions
These are deductions taken from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) retirement plan, health insurance premiums, or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, lowering your overall tax liability.
7. Post-tax Deductions
These deductions are taken from your pay after all applicable taxes have been calculated and withheld. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, or garnishments.
8. Net Pay
This is your take-home pay – the amount you actually receive after all federal, state, and other deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay.
Net Pay = Gross Pay - Total Deductions
How to Use the Calculator
- Hourly Wage: Enter your hourly rate of pay.
- Hours Worked per Pay Period: Input the total hours you work in one pay period (e.g., 80 hours for a bi-weekly 40-hour work week).
- Pay Period: Select how often you get paid (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly).
- Federal Filing Status & Allowances: Choose your federal tax filing status and the number of allowances you claim on your W-4.
- NJ Filing Status & Allowances: Choose your New Jersey tax filing status and the number of allowances you claim on your NJ-W4.
- Pre-tax Deductions: Enter any pre-tax deductions per pay period (e.g., 401k contributions, health insurance premiums).
- Post-tax Deductions: Enter any post-tax deductions per pay period (e.g., Roth 401k, union dues).
- Click "Calculate Paycheck" to see a detailed breakdown of your gross pay, deductions, and net pay.
Example Calculation
Let's consider an example for a New Jersey resident:
- Hourly Wage: $25.00
- Hours Worked per Pay Period: 80 (for a bi-weekly pay period)
- Pay Period: Bi-weekly
- Federal Filing Status: Single, 1 Allowance
- NJ Filing Status: Single, 1 Allowance
- Pre-tax Deductions: $100.00 (e.g., 401k contribution)
- Post-tax Deductions: $20.00 (e.g., union dues)
Based on these inputs, the calculator would estimate:
- Gross Pay: $2,000.00
- Federal Income Tax: ~$128.62
- Social Security Tax: $124.00
- Medicare Tax: $29.00
- NJ State Income Tax: ~$45.45
- NJ UI/DI/FLI: ~$8.50
- Pre-tax Deductions: $100.00
- Post-tax Deductions: $20.00
- Total Deductions: ~$455.57
- Net Pay: ~$1,544.43
(Note: These are approximate values for illustration and may vary slightly based on exact tax table calculations and cumulative earnings.)
Disclaimer
This calculator provides an estimate of your New Jersey hourly paycheck based on the information provided and simplified 2024 tax rates and withholding methods. It does not account for all possible deductions, credits, or specific tax situations (e.g., additional Medicare tax, local taxes, specific employer benefits, or cumulative wage limits for FICA/UI if reached mid-year). For precise figures, please consult your employer's payroll department or a qualified tax professional.