This calculator estimates take-home pay by subtracting three items from gross pay: federal income tax using the 2024 single-filer brackets published by the IRS, Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to the 2024 wage base of $168,600, and Medicare at 1.45%. It does not include state or local income tax, the standard deduction, pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions, credits or the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax.
The federal brackets used are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%, with single-filer thresholds of $11,600, $47,150, $100,525, $191,950, $243,725 and $609,350 (IRS Revenue Procedure 2023-34, tax year 2024). Each rate applies only to the slice of income inside its bracket, so the effective rate is always lower than the top bracket reached.
Because the calculator applies the brackets to gross pay without subtracting the standard deduction ($14,600 for a single filer in 2024), the federal tax shown is usually higher than a real return for the same salary. Treat the result as a conservative estimate rather than a withholding figure.
State income tax is not included. Some states have no wage income tax (for example Texas, Florida and Washington), others use progressive systems with top rates above 10%, and some cities add local tax. Add your state's tax separately when comparing jobs in different states.
Take-Home Pay Formula (as calculated)
Take-Home Pay = Gross Pay − Federal Income Tax (2024 single brackets on gross) − Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) − Medicare (1.45%)
Monthly pay is multiplied by 12 and hourly pay by 2,080 hours (40 × 52) to get annual gross. No standard deduction, state tax or pre-tax deductions are applied.
Annual gross pay of $85,000, entered as a yearly amount.
Result: Estimated take-home pay = $64,744.50 per year, about $5,395 per month. A real return would usually show less federal tax because of the standard deduction, and state tax may reduce the figure.
Federal income tax uses the 2024 single-filer brackets and Social Security uses the 2024 wage base of $168,600. Later years have different thresholds, so results for other years are approximate.
No. Only federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare are included. Add your state and local income tax separately.
The calculator does not subtract the standard deduction or pre-tax contributions such as 401(k) or health premiums, both of which reduce taxable income.
Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base ($168,600 in 2024). Employers pay a matching 6.2%, which is not deducted from your pay.
Overtime is taxed as ordinary wages. A larger paycheck may have more withheld, but your actual tax is settled when you file your annual return.