Use this calculator to estimate your net pay per pay period based on your gross income, pay frequency, and common deductions and taxes. Please note this is an estimation and actual pay may vary based on specific tax situations, state laws, and employer benefits.
Weekly
Bi-Weekly
Semi-Monthly
Monthly
Federal Withholding
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Note: Modern W-4 uses steps, not allowances. This calculator uses allowances for simplified estimation.
State Withholding
Enter 0 if your state has no income tax.
Deductions
e.g., 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums.
e.g., Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues.
Estimated Paycheck Summary
Gross Pay per Period:$0.00
Federal Income Tax:$0.00
State Income Tax:$0.00
Social Security Tax:$0.00
Medicare Tax:$0.00
Pre-Tax Deductions:$0.00
Post-Tax Deductions:$0.00
Total Deductions & Taxes:$0.00
Estimated Net Pay:$0.00
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function calculatePaycheck() {
// Get input values
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossPay').value);
var payFrequencyValue = parseInt(document.getElementById('payFrequency').value);
var federalFilingStatus = document.getElementById('federalFilingStatus').value;
var federalAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById('federalAllowances').value);
var stateTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('stateTaxRate').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 of Federal Withholding Allowances.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(stateTaxRate) || stateTaxRate < 0) {
alert('Please enter a valid State Income Tax Rate.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0) {
alert('Please enter valid Pre-Tax Deductions.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions < 0) {
alert('Please enter valid Post-Tax Deductions.');
return;
}
// Constants (Example values for 2024)
var SS_RATE = 0.062;
var SS_WAGE_BASE = 168600; // 2024 Social Security wage base limit
var MEDICARE_RATE = 0.0145;
var SINGLE_STANDARD_DEDUCTION = 14600; // 2024
var MARRIED_STANDARD_DEDUCTION = 29200; // 2024
var ALLOWANCE_VALUE = 4700; // Approximate value for an allowance for calculation purposes (old system)
// Determine pay periods per year
var payPeriodsPerYear = payFrequencyValue;
// Annualize values
var annualGrossPay = grossPay * payPeriodsPerYear;
var annualPreTaxDeductions = preTaxDeductions * payPeriodsPerYear;
var annualPostTaxDeductions = postTaxDeductions * payPeriodsPerYear;
// 1. Calculate FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
var annualSocialSecurityTaxable = Math.min(annualGrossPay, SS_WAGE_BASE);
var annualSocialSecurityTax = annualSocialSecurityTaxable * SS_RATE;
var annualMedicareTax = annualGrossPay * MEDICARE_RATE;
// 2. Calculate Federal Income Tax
var federalAdjustedGrossIncome = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions;
var standardDeduction = (federalFilingStatus === 'Single') ? SINGLE_STANDARD_DEDUCTION : MARRIED_STANDARD_DEDUCTION;
var allowanceDeduction = federalAllowances * ALLOWANCE_VALUE;
var federalTaxableIncome = Math.max(0, federalAdjustedGrossIncome – standardDeduction – allowanceDeduction);
// Simplified Federal Tax Brackets (2024, approximate)
// This is a simplified model and does not account for all nuances of tax law.
function calculateFederalTax(taxableIncome, filingStatus) {
var tax = 0;
if (filingStatus === 'Single') {
if (taxableIncome <= 11600) {
tax = taxableIncome * 0.10;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 47150) {
tax = 11600 * 0.10 + (taxableIncome – 11600) * 0.12;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 100525) {
tax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (taxableIncome – 47150) * 0.22;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 191950) {
tax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (taxableIncome – 100525) * 0.24;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 243725) {
tax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (taxableIncome – 191950) * 0.32;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 609350) {
tax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (taxableIncome – 243725) * 0.35;
} else {
tax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (609350 – 243725) * 0.35 + (taxableIncome – 609350) * 0.37;
}
} else { // Married Filing Jointly
if (taxableIncome <= 23200) {
tax = taxableIncome * 0.10;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 94300) {
tax = 23200 * 0.10 + (taxableIncome – 23200) * 0.12;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 201050) {
tax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (taxableIncome – 94300) * 0.22;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 383900) {
tax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (taxableIncome – 201050) * 0.24;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 487450) {
tax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (taxableIncome – 383900) * 0.32;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 731200) {
tax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (taxableIncome – 487450) * 0.35;
} else {
tax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (731200 – 487450) * 0.35 + (taxableIncome – 731200) * 0.37;
}
}
return tax;
}
var annualFederalTax = calculateFederalTax(federalTaxableIncome, federalFilingStatus);
// 3. Calculate State Income Tax
var stateTaxableIncome = Math.max(0, annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions); // States often have different deductions, but for simplicity, use federal pre-tax
var annualStateTax = stateTaxableIncome * (stateTaxRate / 100);
// Calculate per-pay-period amounts
var federalTaxPerPeriod = annualFederalTax / payPeriodsPerYear;
var stateTaxPerPeriod = annualStateTax / payPeriodsPerYear;
var socialSecurityTaxPerPeriod = annualSocialSecurityTax / payPeriodsPerYear;
var medicareTaxPerPeriod = annualMedicareTax / payPeriodsPerYear;
var totalTaxesPerPeriod = federalTaxPerPeriod + stateTaxPerPeriod + socialSecurityTaxPerPeriod + medicareTaxPerPeriod;
var totalDeductionsPerPeriod = preTaxDeductions + postTaxDeductions + totalTaxesPerPeriod;
var netPayPerPeriod = grossPay – totalDeductionsPerPeriod;
// Display results
document.getElementById('grossPayPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + grossPay.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('federalTaxPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + federalTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('stateTaxPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + stateTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('socialSecurityTaxPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + socialSecurityTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('medicareTaxPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + medicareTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('preTaxDeductionsPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('postTaxDeductionsPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + postTaxDeductions.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('totalDeductionsPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + totalDeductionsPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('netPayPerPeriodResult').innerText = '$' + netPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
}
// Run calculation on page load with default values
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', calculatePaycheck);
Understanding Your Paycheck: An ADP-like Guide
For many, a paycheck is more than just a number; it's the culmination of hard work and the foundation of financial planning. Understanding how your gross pay transforms into net pay—the amount you actually take home—is crucial. This guide, inspired by the comprehensive payroll services of companies like ADP, breaks down the components of your paycheck.
What is Gross Pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions or taxes are withheld. This includes your regular salary or hourly wages, overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, and any other forms of compensation. It's the starting point for all payroll calculations.
Key Paycheck Deductions and Taxes Explained
Your gross pay is subject to various withholdings, which can be broadly categorized into taxes and other deductions. These reduce your gross pay to arrive at your net pay.
1. Federal Income Tax
This is a mandatory tax levied by the U.S. government on your earnings. The amount withheld depends on several factors, including your filing status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly), the number of dependents you claim, and any additional withholding specified on your Form W-4. The federal income tax system is progressive, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes.
Note: The modern W-4 form, updated in 2020, no longer uses "allowances." Instead, it asks for specific dollar amounts for deductions, credits, and additional withholding. Our calculator uses a simplified allowance system for estimation purposes, which approximates the impact of deductions and credits. For precise calculations, always refer to the IRS guidelines and your employer's payroll system.
2. State Income Tax
Most states also levy an income tax, though some states (like Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming) do not. The amount withheld for state income tax varies significantly by state and can depend on your filing status, income level, and state-specific deductions or credits.
3. FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) mandates two types of taxes:
Social Security Tax: This funds benefits for retirees, disabled workers, and survivors. Employees typically pay 6.2% of their gross wages up to an annual wage base limit (e.g., $168,600 for 2024).
Medicare Tax: This funds health insurance for individuals aged 65 or older, and certain younger people with disabilities. Employees typically pay 1.45% of all gross wages, with no wage base limit. An additional Medicare tax of 0.9% may apply to high earners.
Your employer also pays a matching amount for both Social Security and Medicare taxes.
4. Pre-Tax Deductions
These are deductions taken from your gross pay before federal, state, and sometimes FICA taxes are calculated. Because they reduce your taxable income, they can lower your overall tax liability. Common pre-tax deductions include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance premiums
Contributions to a 401(k), 403(b), or traditional IRA
Contributions to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
Commuter benefits
5. 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:
Charitable contributions through payroll deduction
Life insurance premiums (if not pre-tax)
Calculating Your Net Pay
Your net pay is what's left after all taxes and deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. The formula is straightforward:
Net Pay = Gross Pay - (Federal Tax + State Tax + FICA Taxes + Pre-Tax Deductions + Post-Tax Deductions)
Our Paycheck Estimator helps you visualize these deductions and understand how each component impacts your final take-home pay. While this calculator provides a good estimate, remember that actual payroll calculations can be complex and may involve additional local taxes, specific benefit plan rules, or other unique circumstances.
Why Use a Paycheck Calculator?
Budgeting: Know exactly how much money you have available for expenses and savings.
Financial Planning: Understand the impact of changes to your income, deductions, or tax withholdings.
W-4 Adjustments: Help determine if you need to adjust your W-4 form to avoid over- or under-withholding taxes.
Benefit Enrollment: See how enrolling in different benefits (like a higher 401(k) contribution or a new health plan) affects your take-home pay.
Always consult with a financial advisor or your HR/payroll department for personalized advice and accurate figures.