Single, paid $2,500 every two weeks
- Details
- $2,500.00 × 26 paychecks a year; Single or married filing separately
- Result
- Federal withholding $216.15; take-home pay $2,092.60
Enter the details (current step)
Traditional (pre-tax) contributions only. Enter 0 if none.
Used for the Social Security wage limit and the Additional Medicare Tax. Enter 0 for the first paycheck of the year.
%
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Result
Please complete the details. The result will appear here.
How it is calculated
- Federal income tax withholding follows the IRS Publication 15-T (2026) Worksheet 1A and the annual percentage method tables for a 2020 or later Form W-4.
- Annual wages = (gross pay − pre-tax 401(k) contributions) × pay periods. The adjusted annual wage amount = annual wages − $12,900 (married filing jointly) or $8,600 (other statuses); nothing is deducted if Step 2 is checked.
- Withholding per paycheck = (tax from the table on the adjusted annual wage amount ÷ pay periods) − (Step 3 credits ÷ pay periods), not less than $0, plus Step 4(c) extra withholding.
- Social Security = 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026. Medicare = 1.45% of all wages. Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% is withheld on wages above $200,000 in the year. 401(k) contributions are still subject to Social Security and Medicare.
- State and local tax = (gross pay − 401(k) contributions) × the rate you enter. Amounts are rounded to the cent.
- Not included: Form W-4 Step 4(a) and 4(b), bonuses and other supplemental wages, health insurance and HSA deductions, and state payroll taxes such as SDI.
- All calculations are done in your browser. The details you enter are not sent to any server.
2026 percentage method tables (annual)
Single or married filing separately: Step 2 not checked
| Adjusted annual wage at least | Withholding | Plus % of the excess |
|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $7,500.00 | $0.00 | 10% |
| $19,900.00 | $1,240.00 | 12% |
| $57,900.00 | $5,800.00 | 22% |
| $113,200.00 | $17,966.00 | 24% |
| $209,275.00 | $41,024.00 | 32% |
| $263,725.00 | $58,448.00 | 35% |
| $648,100.00 | $192,979.25 | 37% |
Married filing jointly: Step 2 not checked
| Adjusted annual wage at least | Withholding | Plus % of the excess |
|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $19,300.00 | $0.00 | 10% |
| $44,100.00 | $2,480.00 | 12% |
| $120,100.00 | $11,600.00 | 22% |
| $230,700.00 | $35,932.00 | 24% |
| $422,850.00 | $82,048.00 | 32% |
| $531,750.00 | $116,896.00 | 35% |
| $788,000.00 | $206,583.50 | 37% |
Head of household: Step 2 not checked
| Adjusted annual wage at least | Withholding | Plus % of the excess |
|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $15,550.00 | $0.00 | 10% |
| $33,250.00 | $1,770.00 | 12% |
| $83,000.00 | $7,740.00 | 22% |
| $121,250.00 | $16,155.00 | 24% |
| $217,300.00 | $39,207.00 | 32% |
| $271,750.00 | $56,631.00 | 35% |
| $656,150.00 | $191,171.00 | 37% |
Single or married filing separately: Step 2 checked
| Adjusted annual wage at least | Withholding | Plus % of the excess |
|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $8,050.00 | $0.00 | 10% |
| $14,250.00 | $620.00 | 12% |
| $33,250.00 | $2,900.00 | 22% |
| $60,900.00 | $8,983.00 | 24% |
| $108,938.00 | $20,512.00 | 32% |
| $136,163.00 | $29,224.00 | 35% |
| $328,350.00 | $96,489.63 | 37% |
Married filing jointly: Step 2 checked
| Adjusted annual wage at least | Withholding | Plus % of the excess |
|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $16,100.00 | $0.00 | 10% |
| $28,500.00 | $1,240.00 | 12% |
| $66,500.00 | $5,800.00 | 22% |
| $121,800.00 | $17,966.00 | 24% |
| $217,875.00 | $41,024.00 | 32% |
| $272,325.00 | $58,448.00 | 35% |
| $400,450.00 | $103,291.75 | 37% |
Head of household: Step 2 checked
| Adjusted annual wage at least | Withholding | Plus % of the excess |
|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $12,075.00 | $0.00 | 10% |
| $20,925.00 | $885.00 | 12% |
| $45,800.00 | $3,870.00 | 22% |
| $64,925.00 | $8,077.50 | 24% |
| $112,950.00 | $19,603.50 | 32% |
| $140,175.00 | $28,315.50 | 35% |
| $332,375.00 | $95,585.50 | 37% |
Worked examples
Married filing jointly, paid $10,000 a month
- Details
- $10,000.00 × 12 paychecks a year; Married filing jointly
- Result
- Federal withholding $836.67; take-home pay $8,398.33
Head of household, paid $1,200 a week
- Details
- $1,200.00 × 52 paychecks a year; Head of household
- Result
- Federal withholding $81.46; take-home pay $1,026.74
Single, paid $2,500 every two weeks, with $200 to a 401(k)
- Details
- $2,500.00 × 26 paychecks a year; Single or married filing separately
- Result
- Federal withholding $192.15; take-home pay $1,916.60
Official sources
Applies to: Wages paid in 2026 (tax year 2026), with a 2020 or later Form W-4.
- Internal Revenue Service: Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- Internal Revenue Service: Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide
- Internal Revenue Service: Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates
Last reviewed on October 26, 2026.
The rules on this page have been checked against the official sources listed above. The result is for reference. The rules and assessment of the concerned authority shall prevail.