This is an estimate based on 2026 federal withholding rules. It does not include state or local taxes and may differ from your actual paycheck because of employer payroll methods, benefits, deductions, bonuses, year-to-date wages, and other circumstances.
How to use this estimator
Enter annual salary or one paycheck's gross pay, choose the pay schedule and W-4 filing status, then add deductions. Open the advanced section for W-4 Steps 2 through 4 and year-to-date wages.
What this estimate includes
Federal income-tax withholding under IRS Publication 15-T, employee Social Security, Medicare, Additional Medicare withholding when applicable, and the deductions you enter.
What it does not include
State or local taxes, self-employment tax, bonus-specific methods, nonresident-alien adjustments, or final tax-return liability. Your refund or amount due may be different.
How federal withholding is estimated
The calculator follows the automated-payroll Percentage Method in 2026 Publication 15-T Worksheet 1A. It annualizes taxable wages, applies the entered W-4 adjustments and the correct filing-status schedule, subtracts Step 3 credits, converts back to the pay period, and adds Step 4(c).
Federal withholding sources
Methodology and values come from IRS Publication 15-T (2026), IRS Publication 15 (2026), and the 2026 Form W-4. These links are informational; the IRS does not endorse this site.
Example
Use the example button to populate a fictional $75,000 salary paid biweekly, with $150 of federal-income-tax pre-tax deductions and $50 of post-tax deductions per paycheck.
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Frequently asked questions
Does this include state taxes?
No. This version estimates federal withholding only.
Is this my final federal income tax?
No. It estimates paycheck withholding, not final tax-return liability.
Why might my actual paycheck be different?
Employer payroll rounding, benefit tax treatment, bonuses, taxable fringe benefits, year-to-date wages, and state or local deductions can all change a paycheck.
Does it include Social Security and Medicare?
Yes, using the applicable 2026 employee withholding rules and the year-to-date wages you enter.