# Head of household paycheck calculator (2026)

Head of household is a federal filing status with a $24,150 standard deduction in 2026 — larger than single ($16,100), smaller than joint ($32,200). This page preloads HOH so you can see the paycheck effect. It does not decide whether you qualify.

Qualifying is a tax-return question (unmarried, paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home, qualifying person). This calculator only changes brackets and the standard deduction when you pick the status.

State models here usually treat HOH like the state’s HOH or single deduction, not a full resident-return HOH package. Dependents mainly change state exemptions we encode, not the federal Child Tax Credit (omitted).

The sample is $80,000 California. Switch status to single in the widget to see the gap. Reviewed August 24, 2026.

## Sample estimates

### $80k CA, single

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $3,210.42
- Net / take-home: $60,859.58 (effective tax 23.9%)
- Per paycheck net: $60,859.58 (1 periods)

### $80k CA, head of household

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $6,348.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $3,210.42
- Net / take-home: $63,281.58 (effective tax 20.9%)
- Per paycheck net: $63,281.58 (1 periods)

Label: engine estimates, not pay stubs.

## FAQ

### Do I qualify for HOH?

This site cannot say. Use IRS Publication 501 or a tax professional.

### Is HOH better than single?

On the same one income, HOH usually withholds less federal tax because of the larger deduction and HOH brackets. Your facts may differ.

### What about Child Tax Credit?

Omitted. Dependents here mostly affect state exemptions.

## Related

- [Married vs single paycheck](https://takehomecash.com/married-vs-single-paycheck/index.md)
- [W-4 extra withholding](https://takehomecash.com/w4-extra-withholding/index.md)
- [California paycheck calculator](https://takehomecash.com/california-paycheck-calculator/index.md)