Understanding your paycheck is crucial for managing your finances, especially in a state like Texas, which has unique tax considerations. This Texas Paycheck Calculator helps you estimate your take-home pay by factoring in federal taxes, FICA contributions, and common deductions, all while acknowledging that Texas does not impose a state income tax.
How Your Texas Paycheck is Calculated
When you receive your paycheck in Texas, several deductions are typically made from your gross earnings to arrive at your net pay. Here's a breakdown:
Gross Pay: This is your total earnings before any deductions. It's calculated based on your hourly wage multiplied by hours worked, or your annual salary divided by your pay periods.
Pre-Tax Deductions: These are deductions taken from your gross pay before federal income tax is calculated. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) retirement plan, health insurance premiums (under a Section 125 plan), or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These deductions reduce your taxable income, meaning you pay less in federal income tax. Note that most pre-tax deductions do not reduce your income for Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Federal Income Tax (FIT): This is the largest deduction for most people. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household), and the number of dependents and other adjustments you claim on your W-4 form. The IRS provides tax brackets that determine the percentage of your income that goes towards federal taxes.
FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare): These are mandatory federal taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
Social Security: As of 2024, this is 6.2% of your gross pay, up to an annual wage base limit of $168,600.
Medicare: As of 2024, this is 1.45% of all your gross pay, with no wage base limit.
Texas State Income Tax: This is where Texas stands out! Texas does NOT have a state income tax. This means a significant portion of your earnings that might go to state taxes in other states stays in your pocket.
Post-Tax Deductions: These are deductions taken from your pay *after* taxes have been calculated and withheld. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, or garnishments.
Net Pay: This is your take-home pay – the amount you actually receive after all deductions have been made.
Using the Calculator
To use the calculator, simply input your gross pay per pay period, select your pay frequency, federal filing status, and enter any applicable pre-tax or post-tax deductions. The calculator will then provide an estimate of your net pay, along with a breakdown of federal tax withholdings and FICA contributions.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current federal tax laws (2024) and common deductions. It is not financial or tax advice. Actual withholdings may vary based on specific circumstances, additional deductions, or changes in tax laws. Consult with a qualified tax professional for personalized advice.
Texas Paycheck Estimator
Estimate your take-home pay in Texas.
Weekly
Bi-weekly
Semi-monthly
Monthly
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
function calculatePaycheck() {
// Get input values
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossPay').value);
var payFrequency = parseInt(document.getElementById('payFrequency').value);
var filingStatus = document.getElementById('filingStatus').value;
var dependents = parseInt(document.getElementById('dependents').value);
var otherDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('otherDeductions').value); // Annual W-4 Step 4(b) deductions
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('preTaxDeductions').value);
var postTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('postTaxDeductions').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0 ||
isNaN(dependents) || dependents < 0 ||
isNaN(otherDeductions) || otherDeductions < 0 ||
isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0 ||
isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions < 0) {
document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
// Constants for 2024
var socialSecurityRate = 0.062;
var socialSecurityLimit = 168600;
var medicareRate = 0.0145;
// Standard Deductions (Annual)
var standardDeduction;
if (filingStatus === 'single') {
standardDeduction = 14600;
} else if (filingStatus === 'married') {
standardDeduction = 29200;
} else { // hoh
standardDeduction = 21900;
}
// Dependent Credits (Annual) – W-4 Step 3: $2000 for qualifying child under 17, $500 for other dependents.
// For simplicity, this calculator assumes all dependents are qualifying children under 17.
var dependentCredit = dependents * 2000;
// Calculate annual figures
var annualGrossPay = grossPay * payFrequency;
var annualPreTaxDeductions = preTaxDeductions * payFrequency;
var annualOtherDeductions = otherDeductions; // This is already annual from input
// Calculate Taxable Gross for Federal Income Tax
// Pre-tax deductions and W-4 Step 4(b) deductions reduce federal taxable income
var annualTaxableGrossForFIT = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions – annualOtherDeductions;
if (annualTaxableGrossForFIT < 0) annualTaxableGrossForFIT = 0; // Cannot be negative
// Apply Standard Deduction
var annualIncomeAfterDeductions = annualTaxableGrossForFIT – standardDeduction;
if (annualIncomeAfterDeductions 609350) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 609350) * 0.37; incomeForTax = 609350; }
if (incomeForTax > 243725) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 243725) * 0.35; incomeForTax = 243725; }
if (incomeForTax > 191950) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 191950) * 0.32; incomeForTax = 191950; }
if (incomeForTax > 100525) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 100525) * 0.24; incomeForTax = 100525; }
if (incomeForTax > 47150) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 47150) * 0.22; incomeForTax = 47150; }
if (incomeForTax > 11600) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 11600) * 0.12; incomeForTax = 11600; }
if (incomeForTax > 0) { annualFederalTax += incomeForTax * 0.10; }
} else if (filingStatus === 'married') {
if (incomeForTax > 731200) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 731200) * 0.37; incomeForTax = 731200; }
if (incomeForTax > 487450) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 487450) * 0.35; incomeForTax = 487450; }
if (incomeForTax > 383900) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 383900) * 0.32; incomeForTax = 383900; }
if (incomeForTax > 201050) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 201050) * 0.24; incomeForTax = 201050; }
if (incomeForTax > 94300) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 94300) * 0.22; incomeForTax = 94300; }
if (incomeForTax > 23200) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 23200) * 0.12; incomeForTax = 23200; }
if (incomeForTax > 0) { annualFederalTax += incomeForTax * 0.10; }
} else { // hoh
if (incomeForTax > 609350) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 609350) * 0.37; incomeForTax = 609350; }
if (incomeForTax > 243700) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 243700) * 0.35; incomeForTax = 243700; }
if (incomeForTax > 191950) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 191950) * 0.32; incomeForTax = 191950; }
if (incomeForTax > 100500) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 100500) * 0.24; incomeForTax = 100500; }
if (incomeForTax > 63100) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 63100) * 0.22; incomeForTax = 63100; }
if (incomeForTax > 16550) { annualFederalTax += (incomeForTax – 16550) * 0.12; incomeForTax = 16550; }
if (incomeForTax > 0) { annualFederalTax += incomeForTax * 0.10; }
}
// Apply dependent credit (reduces tax liability directly)
annualFederalTax -= dependentCredit;
if (annualFederalTax < 0) annualFederalTax = 0; // Tax cannot be negative
var federalIncomeTax = annualFederalTax / payFrequency;
// FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
// These are generally calculated on gross pay, not reduced by 401k or other pre-tax deductions.
// Health insurance premiums under a Section 125 plan *do* reduce FICA taxable income, but for simplicity,
// this calculator assumes pre-tax deductions do not affect FICA.
var socialSecurityTaxableGross = grossPay;
var medicareTaxableGross = grossPay;
var socialSecurityWithholding = 0;
var annualSocialSecurityTaxableGross = socialSecurityTaxableGross * payFrequency;
// Calculate Social Security withholding, respecting the annual limit
if (annualSocialSecurityTaxableGross <= socialSecurityLimit) {
socialSecurityWithholding = socialSecurityTaxableGross * socialSecurityRate;
} else {
// If annualized gross exceeds limit, cap the per-pay-period withholding
// such that the annual total doesn't exceed the limit * rate.
var maxAnnualSSTax = socialSecurityLimit * socialSecurityRate;
socialSecurityWithholding = Math.min(socialSecurityTaxableGross * socialSecurityRate, maxAnnualSSTax / payFrequency);
}
var medicareWithholding = medicareTaxableGross * medicareRate;
// Total Deductions
var totalFederalDeductions = federalIncomeTax + socialSecurityWithholding + medicareWithholding;
// Pre-tax deductions are already accounted for in FIT calculation, but are still a deduction from gross pay.
var totalDeductions = totalFederalDeductions + preTaxDeductions + postTaxDeductions;
// Net Pay
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductions;
// Format results
var formattedGrossPay = grossPay.toFixed(2);
var formattedPreTaxDeductions = preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2);
var formattedFederalIncomeTax = federalIncomeTax.toFixed(2);
var formattedSocialSecurity = socialSecurityWithholding.toFixed(2);
var formattedMedicare = medicareWithholding.toFixed(2);
var formattedPostTaxDeductions = postTaxDeductions.toFixed(2);
var formattedNetPay = netPay.toFixed(2);
// Display results
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
resultDiv.innerHTML = `
Estimated Paycheck Breakdown:
Gross Pay: $${formattedGrossPay}
Pre-Tax Deductions: $${formattedPreTaxDeductions}
Federal Income Tax (FIT): $${formattedFederalIncomeTax}
Social Security Tax: $${formattedSocialSecurity}
Medicare Tax: $${formattedMedicare}
Texas State Income Tax: $0.00 (Texas has no state income tax)
Post-Tax Deductions: $${formattedPostTaxDeductions}
Net Pay: $${formattedNetPay}
`;
}