Tax year 2026 · updated August 24, 2026 · engine estimates
Compare job offers take-home (2026)
An offer letter quotes gross. Take-home depends on state wage tax, optional city tax (NYC), CA SDI, and WA Cares, plus the 401(k) you actually elect. Use the calculator below: set salary and state, then pick a second state in Compare.
Your pay
Numbers update as you type. Copy the URL to share this estimate.
That’s $120,000.00 a year.
Taxed as supplemental wages (22% federal flat, plus FICA and a simplified state line).
Estimated take-home
per year
| Item | Annual |
|---|---|
| Gross | $120,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | $17,570.00 |
| Social Security | $7,440.00 |
| Medicare | $1,740.00 |
| State income tax | $6,930.42 |
| CA SDI | $1,560.00 |
| Total tax | $35,240.42 |
| Net / take-home | $84,759.58 |
Compare CA vs TX
| CA | TX | |
|---|---|---|
| State + local | $8,490.42 | $0.00 |
| Effective tax | 29.4% | 22.3% |
| Annual net | $84,759.58 | $93,250.00 |
Estimate only — not tax advice or full tax software. 2026 federal brackets and a simplified state model. Locals other than optional NYC, CA SDI, and WA Cares are omitted. Confirm with your pay stub or a tax professional.
The calculator sample starts as a single filer. Change filing status above to see married or head-of-household take-home on this same wage. Numbers update as you type.
A $10,000 higher salary in California can lose to a lower Texas number after federal, FICA, and California tax plus SDI. The compare column holds every other input fixed so the gap is the state (and local extras) line.
Share the URL after you set both states — the query string stores state, gross, frequency, filing status, and the compare target. Filing status starts as single; switch it if the offer is for a joint household.
This is not a cost-of-living index. Rent, sales tax, and commute are outside the paycheck. Estimates reviewed August 24, 2026.
Sample estimates
| Sample | State tax | Federal + FICA | Est. annual net |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120k single, California | $6,930.42 | $26,750.00 | $84,759.58 |
| $120k single, Texas | $0.00 | $26,750.00 | $93,250.00 |
Engine estimates for tax year 2026 — not tax advice or a pay stub. Omits local taxes, most credits, and SDI/PFML. See methodology.
Related: California vs Texas paycheck · No state income tax · Methodology
FAQ
Does this include NYC tax?
Only if the first or compare state is New York and you check NYC resident. Other city taxes are omitted.
Can I compare two salaries?
Set the gross to offer A, note the net, then type offer B. Or open two tabs. The compare control is for two states on the same wage.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is a labeled 2026 withholding-style estimate.