From salary to paycheck — see what's left after taxes.
Most people see their gross salary and assume that's their income. It isn't. Federal tax, FICA, state tax, and pre-tax deductions collectively take 20-40% of your gross pay before it ever hits your bank account. This calculator shows you exactly where each dollar goes.
Before any taxes or deductions
No state income tax
2025 limit: $23,500 (or $31,000 if 50+)
Where your gross pay goes
Your effective tax rate
This is your effective rate — the average across all your income. It's lower than your marginal rate (the bracket your last dollar earned falls into), which matters when deciding whether extra income is worth it. Try the tax bracket calculator for that comparison.
Real paychecks have more moving parts.
2025 tax brackets only. The calculator uses 2025 federal tax brackets and standard deductions. These adjust for inflation each year — verify with the IRS for the current tax year.
State tax simplified. The seven states in the dropdown use approximated brackets. New York's calculation doesn't include NYC or Yonkers local income taxes. California's calculation excludes the SDI (state disability) tax. Real state tax can be more complex; consult your actual tax filing.
Standard deduction assumed. Most taxpayers take the standard deduction ($15,000 single, $30,000 married filing jointly in 2025). If you itemize (mortgage interest, charitable contributions, etc.), your taxable income would be different.
No other deductions modeled. Real paychecks also include health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, FSA, life insurance, union dues, and other employer-specific deductions. Your actual take-home will be lower than this calculator shows if you have these.
No tax credits applied. Things like the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and education credits would reduce your federal tax bill below what this calculator shows for many filers.