How we calculate your take-home pay

Every number on aftrtax comes from published 2026 tax rules. Here's exactly what the calculator does, where the data comes from, and what it leaves out.

1. Gross pay

For salaried jobs we start from your annual salary. For hourly jobs we multiply your hourly rate by your weekly hours and 52 weeks. Overtime isn't added automatically.

2. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions

Traditional 401(k) contributions are subtracted before federal income tax and, in almost every state, before state income tax. Pennsylvania is the main exception: it taxes 401(k) contributions. Social Security and Medicare are always charged on the full salary.

3. Federal income tax

We subtract the 2026 federal standard deduction — $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household — and apply the seven federal brackets from 10% to 37% for your filing status.

4. Social Security and Medicare (FICA)

• Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.
• Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single and head of household) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).

5. State income tax

For each of the 50 states and Washington DC we apply that state's 2026 brackets, standard deduction, personal exemptions and exemption credits. We also model the state rules that change the result the most:

• Deductions that shrink as income rises (Alabama, Wisconsin), exemption phase-outs (Connecticut, Ohio) and Utah's taxpayer credit.
• Deductions for federal income tax paid (Alabama, Missouri's partial deduction and Oregon's capped subtraction).
• Mandatory state payroll deductions: California SDI (1.3%), Massachusetts paid family and medical leave (0.46%) and Washington's WA Cares (0.58%).
• An estimated 3% county income tax in Maryland, where every county levies one.

What isn't included

The calculator gives a close estimate, not your exact paycheck. It doesn't include:

• City and local income taxes such as New York City, Philadelphia, Detroit, or Ohio and Pennsylvania municipalities (except Maryland's county estimate).
• Tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit, and itemized deductions.
• Other pre-tax deductions like health insurance premiums, HSA or FSA contributions.
• Some smaller state payroll programs (for example New Jersey and New York disability and family leave).

Head of household filers use the federal head-of-household brackets but single-filer state brackets. A few states hadn't published their 2026 inflation adjustments when the data was compiled, so their latest published brackets are used.

Sources

• Internal Revenue Service — Revenue Procedure 2025-32, 2026 tax brackets and standard deductions.
• Social Security Administration — 2026 Social Security wage base.
• Tax Foundation — State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
• State tax agency publications for state-specific rules.

How often it's updated

We update the calculator when new tax years are published — usually as soon as the IRS and states release their figures in the fall and winter — and whenever a state changes its rules mid-year. Spotted something wrong? Let us know.

aftrtax provides estimates for general information only. It isn't tax, legal or financial advice. For decisions that depend on your exact tax bill, check with a tax professional.

Last updated October 19, 2026