Our US calculators use IRS federal rules plus each state's income tax rules for the current calendar tax year. Paycheck tools include federal withholding, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%) and state tax; nine states, including Texas and Florida, do not tax wages.
About our US calculators
Our United States calculators follow the federal rules published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) together with each state’s own income tax rules. Paycheck tools account for federal income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare (together called FICA), and state and local income tax where it applies. Education, home-project and everyday tools use US units (inches, pounds, °F) and US grading scales by default.
The US tax year at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Tax year | The calendar year, 1 January to 31 December. |
| Filing deadline | Usually 15 April of the following year (moved to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday). |
| Withholding form | Form W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck. |
| Social Security | 6.2% of wages, up to an annual wage limit that changes each year. |
| Medicare | 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single filers). |
| States with no wage income tax | Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. |
How often you are paid changes each paycheck
| Pay frequency | Paychecks per year | Example on a $60,000 salary (before tax) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | $1,153.85 |
| Biweekly (every two weeks) | 26 | $2,307.69 |
| Semimonthly (twice a month) | 24 | $2,500.00 |
| Monthly | 12 | $5,000.00 |
Biweekly pay means most months have two paychecks but two months a year have three. Your annual salary is the same; only the size of each check changes.
Key terms explained
- Gross pay: what you earn before anything is taken out.
- Net pay (take-home pay): what reaches your bank account after taxes and deductions.
- Withholding: income tax your employer deducts and sends to the IRS and your state on your behalf.
- FICA: Social Security plus Medicare, taken from every paycheck.
- Pre-tax deductions: contributions such as a traditional 401(k), HSA or health insurance premiums that lower your taxable income.
- Filing status: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately or head of household. It changes your tax brackets and standard deduction.
How to get the most accurate result
- Have your latest pay stub or offer letter ready, with your gross pay and pay frequency.
- Choose your state, since nine states have no wage income tax and others range widely.
- Enter pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions and health insurance.
- Compare the result with your pay stub. Small differences usually come from rounding or employer payroll timing.
Key facts
- The US tax year is the calendar year; returns are usually due on 15 April.
- Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to an annual limit; Medicare is 1.45% of all wages.
- An extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies to wages above $200,000 for single filers.
- Nine states do not tax wages: AK, FL, NV, NH, SD, TN, TX, WA and WY.
- Biweekly pay gives 26 paychecks a year; semimonthly pay gives 24.
Frequently asked questions
Do the US paycheck calculators include state tax?
Yes. You choose your state and the calculator applies that state's income tax rules. States with no wage income tax are handled automatically.
Which tax year do the US calculators use?
The current tax year shown at the top of each calculator. We update federal and state figures when new numbers are published.
Why is my paycheck different from the calculator?
Your W-4 choices, pre-tax benefits, local taxes and your employer's payroll timing can all change the real figure. Check those items on your pay stub.
Which states have no income tax on wages?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
What is the difference between biweekly and semimonthly pay?
Biweekly means every two weeks (26 paychecks a year). Semimonthly means twice a month, usually on fixed dates (24 paychecks a year).
What is FICA?
FICA is Social Security (6.2%) plus Medicare (1.45%), withheld from every paycheck. Employers pay a matching amount.
Sources & methodology
Read our full calculation methodology.