Salary After Tax Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, FICA, 401k, and HSA deductions
Income
Tax Profile
WA/TX/FL = 0%
Pre-Tax Deductions
Enter your salary details and click Calculate Take-Home
Understanding Your Paycheck
Tax Brackets
The US uses progressive tax brackets — you pay the marginal rate only on income within each bracket. Most people pay an effective rate well below their marginal rate.
FICA Taxes
Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) and Medicare (1.45%, +0.9% over $200K for singles) are flat deductions. Your employer matches the 6.2% + 1.45%.
401(k) Tax Benefit
Traditional 401k contributions reduce your taxable income now. At a 22% bracket, $10K in 401k saves $2,200 in federal taxes this year — free money from the government.
HSA Triple Tax Advantage
HSA contributions are pre-tax, grow tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free. It's the only triple-tax-advantaged account — max it out if you have an HDHP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my paycheck smaller than I expected?
Your gross salary is reduced by federal income tax (withholding based on W-4), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), state/local taxes, health insurance premiums, and any 401k or FSA contributions. These can total 25-40% of gross income for middle-income earners.
How does contributing to my 401k reduce taxes?
Traditional 401k contributions are deducted from your gross income before federal (and most state) taxes are calculated. If you're in the 22% bracket and contribute $10,000, you save $2,200 in federal taxes. Your paycheck only decreases by $7,800 while $10,000 goes to your retirement.
What's my effective vs marginal tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar earned (e.g., 22%). Your effective rate is the total federal tax divided by gross income — usually much lower because lower income portions are taxed at 10% and 12%. Someone earning $100K might have a 22% marginal rate but only a 13% effective rate.