# Takehome Cash

> Free US paycheck calculator (2026). Free US W-2 paycheck calculator for tax year 2026. Federal brackets, Social Security, Medicare, and a simplified state income-tax model for 50 states + DC. Estimates only — not tax advice or official IRS withholding.

Site: https://takehomecash.com
Last reviewed: August 24, 2026

## How the calculator works

1. Annualize gross from the chosen pay frequency (hourly = rate × hours/week × 52; weekly 52, biweekly 26, semimonthly 24, monthly 12, annual 1).
2. Subtract traditional 401(k) and section 125 health premiums from federal wages; health also reduces FICA wages.
3. Federal tax: 2026 IRS brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 joint / $24,150 HOH).
4. Social Security 6.2% up to the SSA 2026 wage base $184,500; Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% additional Medicare above the filing-status threshold.
5. State tax: none, flat, or progressive model from Tax Foundation 2026 state rates and brackets.

## Sample estimate ($80,000 single, California)

- 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)

Label: engine estimate, not a pay stub.

## Key links

- [Methodology](https://takehomecash.com/methodology/index.md)
- [About](https://takehomecash.com/about/index.md)
- [California vs Texas](https://takehomecash.com/california-vs-texas-paycheck/index.md)
- [No state income tax](https://takehomecash.com/no-state-income-tax-paycheck/index.md)
- [Hourly calculator](https://takehomecash.com/hourly-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [Salary take-home by state](https://takehomecash.com/salary-take-home-pay/index.md)
- [Hourly take-home by state](https://takehomecash.com/hourly-take-home-pay/index.md)
- [llms.txt](https://takehomecash.com/llms.txt)

Popular states: [California](https://takehomecash.com/california-paycheck-calculator/index.md) · [Florida](https://takehomecash.com/florida-paycheck-calculator/index.md) · [Illinois](https://takehomecash.com/illinois-paycheck-calculator/index.md) · [New York](https://takehomecash.com/new-york-paycheck-calculator/index.md) · [Texas](https://takehomecash.com/texas-paycheck-calculator/index.md) · [Washington](https://takehomecash.com/washington-paycheck-calculator/index.md)