Paycheck Calculator 2025
Calculate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings for 2025.
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Quick:
Each allowance reduces withholding. 0 = maximum withholding.
β
Net Pay (take-home)
β
Federal Income Tax
β
FICA (SS + Medicare)
β
State Tax
Paycheck Deduction Breakdown
| Item | Per Paycheck | Annual | % of Gross |
|---|
Extended
Paycheck Deduction Breakdown
Visual chart showing gross pay split into all deduction categories
Gross-to-Net Waterfall
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FICA tax?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay 6.2% of wages up to $176,100 for Social Security and 1.45% on all wages for Medicare in 2025. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies above $200,000 for single filers.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your earnings before any deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what remains after federal income tax withholding, state income tax, and FICA taxes are subtracted.
What are federal withholding allowances?
Allowances reduce the amount of federal income tax withheld from your paycheck. Each allowance reduces your taxable wages by a withholding allowance amount. The 2020+ W-4 form uses a different system with credits instead of allowances, but this calculator uses the traditional allowance method.
How is pay frequency relevant to my paycheck calculation?
Your federal income tax is calculated on an annualized basis and then divided by the number of pay periods. Weekly = 52 periods, biweekly = 26, semi-monthly = 24, monthly = 12.
Does this calculator include 401k or health insurance deductions?
This calculator focuses on mandatory tax withholdings (federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare). Pre-tax deductions like 401k contributions or health insurance premiums would further reduce your taxable wages.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your gross pay per period, select pay frequency and filing status, set your withholding allowances, and choose your state. The calculator shows your net take-home pay after all mandatory withholdings.
Formula
Annual Gross = Gross Pay Γ Pay Periods
Adjusted Gross = Annual Gross β (Allowances Γ $4,300)
Federal Tax = Tax bracket calculation on Adjusted Gross Γ· Pay Periods
Social Security = min(Gross Pay, $176,100 / periods) Γ 6.2%
Medicare = Gross Pay Γ 1.45%
Net Pay = Gross Pay β Federal Tax β State Tax β SS β Medicare
Adjusted Gross = Annual Gross β (Allowances Γ $4,300)
Federal Tax = Tax bracket calculation on Adjusted Gross Γ· Pay Periods
Social Security = min(Gross Pay, $176,100 / periods) Γ 6.2%
Medicare = Gross Pay Γ 1.45%
Net Pay = Gross Pay β Federal Tax β State Tax β SS β Medicare
Example
$3,000 biweekly, single, 1 allowance, no state tax:
Annual gross: $78,000 | Adjusted: $78,000 β $4,300 = $73,700
Federal tax per check: β $430 | SS: $186 | Medicare: $44
Net pay: approx. $2,340 per paycheck
Annual gross: $78,000 | Adjusted: $78,000 β $4,300 = $73,700
Federal tax per check: β $430 | SS: $186 | Medicare: $44
Net pay: approx. $2,340 per paycheck