Tax & Salary Calculators
Tax and income calculators for federal taxes, paycheck take-home pay, salary conversions, and tax planning. This category includes 3 free tools.
Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay after federal tax, Social Security, and Medicare. See your net pay for any pay frequency.
Tax & SalaryIncome Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2026 federal income tax, see your effective rate, and get a bracket-by-bracket breakdown. Free tax calculator.
Tax & SalarySalary Calculator
Convert between annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly, daily, and hourly pay. Enter any value, see all others instantly.
Tax & SalaryAbout Tax & Salary Calculators
Navigating the US tax system requires understanding how your income flows through federal brackets, state tax rates, payroll deductions, and credits. Our tax and salary calculators break down each layer so you can see exactly where your money goes — and spot opportunities to keep more of it.
The income tax calculator uses the 2026 federal tax brackets with the progressive system — only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. The paycheck calculator layers in FICA (Social Security and Medicare), federal and state withholding, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, so you get a realistic take-home figure. The salary calculator converts between hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual pay so you can compare job offers accurately.
Estimates assume you take the standard deduction unless otherwise noted. If you itemize deductions (mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable contributions), your taxable income will differ. For complex situations involving self-employment income, investment gains, or multiple income sources, consult a CPA or enrolled agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what remains after federal and state income tax withholding, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and any voluntary pre-tax deductions like health insurance premiums or 401(k) contributions are subtracted.
How do federal tax brackets work?
The US uses a progressive marginal tax system. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate — not your entire income. If you're in the 22% bracket, you don't pay 22% on all your income; you pay 10% on the first portion, 12% on the next, and 22% only on the income that falls within that bracket.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
For 2026, the projected standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household. This amount is subtracted from your gross income before tax brackets are applied, effectively making that income tax-free.
How can I reduce my taxable income?
Legal strategies to reduce taxable income include maxing out pre-tax retirement contributions (401(k), traditional IRA), contributing to an HSA if you have a high-deductible health plan, claiming all eligible tax credits, and timing deductible expenses (like charitable donations) strategically. Self-employed individuals have additional deductions available.