Pay Stub

Most Americans receive a pay stub twice a month and have never fully read it.

Here is what every single line means in 2026 -- and why it matters.

GROSS PAY: Your total earnings before any deductions. This is the number your employer quoted you. It is not what you receive.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX: Calculated using the 2026 progressive brackets (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%). Your employer uses IRS Publication 15 withholding tables based on your W-4 filing status to estimate this every paycheck.

SOCIAL SECURITY (6.2%): Mandatory FICA contribution. In 2026 you pay this only on your first $176,100 of income. Earn above that and this line stops.

MEDICARE (1.45%): No income cap. If you earn over $200,000 as a single filer, an additional 0.9% kicks in automatically.

STATE INCOME TAX: Ranges from $0 (Texas, Florida, Nevada) to 13.3% (California top rate). This single line explains why the same $80,000 salary produces completely different paychecks in different states.

PRE-TAX DEDUCTIONS (401k, HSA, FSA): These come out before taxes are calculated -- which is why contributing to your 401k costs you less than the contribution amount.

NET PAY: The only number that matters for your budget. Everything else is the government doing math on your behalf.

The Take Home Paycheck Calc shows you every one of these lines before payday -- for any salary, any state, any filing status. Free. No login.

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