About

We built this because “how much will I actually take home?” is one of the most common questions when comparing job offers, planning a move, or negotiating a salary — and the answer changes a lot depending on where you live. Our goal is to give you a clear, honest estimate in seconds, with the full breakdown shown so you can see exactly where your money goes.

How we calculate

Every estimate starts from your gross annual salary and subtracts the four things that come out of a typical W-2 paycheck:

• Federal income tax, using the 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deduction.
• Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base).
• Medicare (1.45%, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above the high-earner threshold).
• State income tax, which ranges from 0% in states like Texas and Florida to progressive brackets in states like California and New York.

Data sources

Federal figures follow the IRS inflation-adjusted amounts for tax year 2026 (Revenue Procedure 2025-32). State rates reflect published 2026 rates, including the rate cuts several states enacted on January 1, 2026. We update these as tax law changes.

Important limitation

These are estimates, not exact withholding figures. We use the standard deduction and do not account for pre-tax deductions (401(k), health insurance), tax credits, local city taxes, or itemized deductions — all of which affect your real paycheck. Some state calculations are approximations. Always confirm with a tax professional or the IRS before making financial decisions.

Questions or corrections are welcome — we update figures as tax law changes.