# Married vs single paycheck (2026)

Filing status changes the federal standard deduction and brackets — and many state tables. This page holds pay, state, and benefits fixed: $80,000, California, one worker, no 401(k). Single versus married filing jointly (spouse has no modeled wages).

Married filing jointly in 2026 gets a $32,200 standard deduction versus $16,100 single. Wider joint brackets usually mean less federal tax on the same one-income $80,000. California also uses a married standard deduction and married brackets in our model. Two-earner couples should not use this one-income sample.

Married filing separately is closer to single on federal brackets and uses a $16,100 deduction; additional Medicare starts at $125,000. Head of household has its own $24,150 deduction. The calculator starts single; switch the control to compare live.

We do not apply the Child Tax Credit or other dependent credits, so adding dependents here mainly affects state exemptions we model. Estimates only — not a filing election recommender. 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, married filing jointly (one income)

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $5,240.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $1,178.66
- Net / take-home: $66,421.34 (effective tax 17.0%)
- Per paycheck net: $66,421.34 (1 periods)

Label: engine estimates, not pay stubs.

## FAQ

### Is this two incomes?

No. Joint is modeled as one $80,000 wage. A working spouse would raise annual gross.

### Should I file jointly?

This site does not give filing advice. It only shows withholding-style estimates for the status you pick.

### What about head of household?

Use the filing-status control. HOH has a $24,150 federal standard deduction in 2026 and is not the same as single or joint.

## Related

- [$80,000 salary take-home](https://takehomecash.com/80000-salary-take-home-pay/index.md)
- [401(k) vs take-home pay](https://takehomecash.com/401k-vs-take-home-pay/index.md)
- [California paycheck calculator](https://takehomecash.com/california-paycheck-calculator/index.md)