What is included in this estimate?
This tool applies the 2026 federal income tax brackets and standard deduction, plus employee Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%) and applicable Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%). The brackets are progressive: only income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.
What is not included?
Important: The result is NOT your actual paycheck or complete take-home pay. It includes employee Social Security and Medicare but does not subtract state or local taxes, insurance, retirement contributions, or other payroll deductions. It also does not model tax credits, itemized deductions, special overtime or tip deductions, or additional taxes. Self-employed workers need a different calculation.
Example: $20 an hour in 2026
At 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, gross wages are $41,600. A single filer using the $16,100 standard deduction has $25,500 of taxable income before any other adjustments. Federal income tax is calculated progressively, not by taxing all $41,600 at one flat rate. Employee Social Security and Medicare taxes are estimated separately.
Official source and methodology
Payroll tax rules: IRS Publication 15 (2026). Overtime: US Department of Labor. Federal rates and standard deductions: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. Tax year: 2026. Calculations are illustrative and may not reflect your tax return or payroll withholding.