Your Paycheck
Paycheck Take-Home Calculator
Enter your gross pay and deductions below. Every FICA number is calculated from the documented formula — Social Security, Medicare, and pre-tax benefits — so you can verify your stub line by line.
Informational only — not financial advice. Covers FICA (Social Security & Medicare) only; does not calculate federal or state income tax withholding.
Enter your gross pay above to see your paycheck breakdown.
How this calculator works
Step 1 — FICA-taxable wages
Social Security and Medicare are calculated on FICA-taxable wages, not gross pay. Per IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) and Publication 15-A, Section 125 cafeteria plan deductions — health, dental, vision, FSA, and HSA premiums — reduce FICA-taxable wages under IRC § 3121(a). This means your Social Security and Medicare tax is lower when you carry employer-sponsored benefits.
401(k) pre-tax contributions are different. They reduce your federal taxable income but do not reduce FICA-taxable wages. The calculator tracks this distinction precisely.
Step 2 — Social Security (6.2%)
Social Security tax is 6.2% of FICA-taxable wages, applied only up to the annual wage base. For 2026, that ceiling is $184,500 (source: SSA 2026 COLA Fact Sheet). Wages above that ceiling are not subject to Social Security for the rest of the year. If you enter your YTD SS wages, the calculator applies the cap correctly mid-year.
Step 3 — Medicare (1.45% + 0.9%)
Medicare is 1.45% on all FICA-taxable wages — there is no annual ceiling. An additional 0.9% applies to wages above $200,000 (the employer withholding threshold per IRS Topic 751). Employers withhold the extra 0.9% once cumulative wages exceed $200,000 in a calendar year, regardless of filing status. Married filers with a combined income above $250,000 may owe additional amounts (or receive a refund) when they file their joint return.
Step 4 — Net take-home
Net = Gross Pay − Section 125 deductions − 401(k) pre-tax − Total FICA − post-tax deductions. The calculator does not add federal or state income tax withholding because those amounts depend on your W-4 elections and state of residence — variables we don't capture here.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is FICA and how much is withheld?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds two programs: Social Security (6.2% of your wages, up to the annual wage base of $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages, no ceiling). Your employer pays a matching amount on top of your salary.
Why doesn't my 401(k) contribution reduce my Social Security and Medicare taxes?
401(k) pre-tax contributions reduce your federal taxable income under IRC § 402(g), but they do not reduce FICA-taxable wages. Section 125 cafeteria plan deductions — health, dental, vision, FSA, and HSA premiums — do reduce FICA wages. The calculator tracks this distinction precisely.
Why doesn't this calculator include federal income tax?
Federal income tax withholding depends on your W-4 elections, filing status, and deductions — variables that differ significantly by person. This calculator covers FICA only: the fixed-rate deductions that apply the same way for everyone earning the same wage.
What are Section 125 pre-tax deductions?
Section 125 deductions are benefit premiums paid through an employer's cafeteria plan — typically health, dental, vision, FSA, and HSA contributions. They reduce both your federal taxable income and your FICA-taxable wages, making them more valuable than paying those premiums out of pocket.
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