Online Pay Stub Calculator

Gross Pay per Period ($):

Federal Income Tax Withholding (%):

State Income Tax Withholding (%):

Social Security Tax (%):

Medicare Tax (%):

Pre-Tax Deductions ($):

Post-Tax Deductions ($):

Your Pay Stub Summary:

Gross Pay: $0.00

Total Pre-Tax Deductions: $0.00

Taxable Gross Pay: $0.00

Federal Income Tax: $0.00

State Income Tax: $0.00

Social Security Tax: $0.00

Medicare Tax: $0.00

Total Taxes: $0.00

Total Post-Tax Deductions: $0.00

Net Pay: $0.00

function calculatePayStub() { var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossPay').value); var federalTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('federalTaxRate').value); var stateTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('stateTaxRate').value); var socialSecurityRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('socialSecurityRate').value); var medicareRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('medicareRate').value); var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('preTaxDeductions').value); var postTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('postTaxDeductions').value); // Validate inputs if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0) grossPay = 0; if (isNaN(federalTaxRate) || federalTaxRate < 0) federalTaxRate = 0; if (isNaN(stateTaxRate) || stateTaxRate < 0) stateTaxRate = 0; if (isNaN(socialSecurityRate) || socialSecurityRate < 0) socialSecurityRate = 0; if (isNaN(medicareRate) || medicareRate < 0) medicareRate = 0; if (isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0) preTaxDeductions = 0; if (isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions < 0) postTaxDeductions = 0; // Step 1: Calculate Taxable Gross Pay var totalPreTaxDeductions = preTaxDeductions; var taxableGrossPay = grossPay – totalPreTaxDeductions; if (taxableGrossPay < 0) taxableGrossPay = 0; // Ensure taxable gross doesn't go negative // Step 2: Calculate Taxes var federalTax = taxableGrossPay * (federalTaxRate / 100); var stateTax = taxableGrossPay * (stateTaxRate / 100); var socialSecurityTax = grossPay * (socialSecurityRate / 100); // Social Security is typically on gross pay var medicareTax = grossPay * (medicareRate / 100); // Medicare is typically on gross pay var totalTaxes = federalTax + stateTax + socialSecurityTax + medicareTax; // Step 3: Calculate Net Pay var totalPostTaxDeductions = postTaxDeductions; var netPay = taxableGrossPay – federalTax – stateTax – socialSecurityTax – medicareTax – totalPostTaxDeductions; if (netPay < 0) netPay = 0; // Ensure net pay doesn't go negative // Display Results document.getElementById('grossPayOutput').innerHTML = 'Gross Pay: $' + grossPay.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('totalPreTaxDeductionsOutput').innerHTML = 'Total Pre-Tax Deductions: $' + totalPreTaxDeductions.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('taxableGrossOutput').innerHTML = 'Taxable Gross Pay: $' + taxableGrossPay.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('federalTaxOutput').innerHTML = 'Federal Income Tax: $' + federalTax.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('stateTaxOutput').innerHTML = 'State Income Tax: $' + stateTax.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('socialSecurityTaxOutput').innerHTML = 'Social Security Tax: $' + socialSecurityTax.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('medicareTaxOutput').innerHTML = 'Medicare Tax: $' + medicareTax.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('totalTaxesOutput').innerHTML = 'Total Taxes: $' + totalTaxes.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('totalPostTaxDeductionsOutput').innerHTML = 'Total Post-Tax Deductions: $' + totalPostTaxDeductions.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('netPayOutput').innerHTML = 'Net Pay: $' + netPay.toFixed(2); } // Calculate on page load with default values window.onload = calculatePayStub;

Understanding Your Pay Stub: A Comprehensive Guide

Your pay stub is more than just a piece of paper showing how much you've been paid; it's a detailed record of your earnings, deductions, and taxes for a specific pay period. Understanding each component of your pay stub is crucial for financial planning, verifying correct payments, and ensuring your taxes are being withheld appropriately. Our Online Pay Stub Calculator helps you break down these figures to see exactly how your gross pay transforms into your net take-home pay.

What is a Pay Stub?

A pay stub, also known as an earnings statement or paycheck stub, is a document provided by an employer to an employee that details the employee's wages and deductions for a given pay period. It typically accompanies a paycheck or direct deposit notification.

Key Components of Your Pay Stub Explained:

1. Gross Pay

This is your total earnings before any deductions or taxes are taken out. It includes your regular wages, overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, and any other forms of compensation for the pay period.

2. Pre-Tax Deductions

These are amounts subtracted from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Because they reduce your taxable income, they can lower the amount of income tax you owe. Common pre-tax deductions include:

Health Insurance Premiums: Your contribution to medical, dental, or vision plans.
401(k) or 403(b) Contributions: Money you contribute to your retirement savings plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Funds set aside for healthcare or dependent care expenses.

3. Taxable Gross Pay

This is the amount of your income that is subject to federal and state income taxes. It's calculated by subtracting your pre-tax deductions from your gross pay.

4. Taxes Withheld

These are mandatory deductions that your employer is required to withhold from your pay and send to the appropriate government agencies. The main types include:

Federal Income Tax: This is based on your taxable gross pay, your W-4 form elections (filing status, dependents, additional withholding), and current tax laws.
State Income Tax: Similar to federal tax, but for 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 pay, up to an annual earnings limit.
Medicare Tax (FICA): This funds hospital insurance for the elderly and disabled. The current rate is 1.45% of your gross pay, with no earnings limit.

5. Post-Tax Deductions

These are amounts subtracted 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: Retirement contributions made with after-tax dollars.
Union Dues: Fees paid to a labor union.
Wage Garnishments: Court-ordered deductions for debts like child support or student loans.
Charitable Contributions: Donations made directly from your paycheck.

6. Net Pay (Take-Home Pay)

This is the final amount of money you receive after all taxes and deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. It's the money that actually lands in your bank account or is given to you as a check.

How to Use the Calculator:

Our calculator simplifies the process of understanding your pay stub. Simply enter your gross pay for a single pay period, along with your estimated tax withholding percentages and any pre-tax or post-tax deductions. The calculator will then break down your earnings and deductions, showing you your taxable gross pay, total taxes, total deductions, and ultimately, your net pay.

Example Calculation:

Let's say your gross pay per bi-weekly period is $2,000. You have $150 in pre-tax health insurance deductions and $50 in post-tax union dues. Your estimated tax rates are:

Federal Income Tax: 12%
State Income Tax: 4%
Social Security Tax: 6.2%
Medicare Tax: 1.45%

Gross Pay: $2,000.00
Pre-Tax Deductions: $150.00
Taxable Gross Pay: $2,000 – $150 = $1,850.00
Federal Income Tax: 12% of $1,850 = $222.00
State Income Tax: 4% of $1,850 = $74.00
Social Security Tax: 6.2% of $2,000 = $124.00
Medicare Tax: 1.45% of $2,000 = $29.00
Total Taxes: $222 + $74 + $124 + $29 = $449.00
Post-Tax Deductions: $50.00
Net Pay: $1,850 (Taxable Gross) – $449 (Total Taxes) – $50 (Post-Tax Deductions) = $1,351.00

This calculator provides a helpful estimate. For precise figures, always refer to your official pay stub or consult with a financial advisor or HR department, as actual tax rates and deductions can vary based on individual circumstances, state laws, and employer policies.