# Net vs gross pay (2026 calculator)

Gross pay is what the offer letter prints. Net pay is what hits the bank. The gap is federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state wage tax, and extras like CA SDI or NYC city tax. This calculator shows both on the same 2026 sample.

Effective tax rate on this site is total tax ÷ gross (bonus included when you add one). It is not your marginal bracket. A 22% bracket does not mean 22% of the whole wage.

Benefits that never hit cash (employer 401(k) match, employer-paid premiums) are not in net. Employee 401(k) and health premiums do reduce the check.

Use Annual net in the results card as “net.” Use Gross as “gross.” 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 TX single

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $0.00
- Net / take-home: $65,110.00 (effective tax 18.6%)
- Per paycheck net: $65,110.00 (1 periods)

Label: engine estimates, not pay stubs.

## FAQ

### Why is net not 70% of gross?

That rule of thumb ignores state tax, FICA caps, 401(k), and filing status. Use the engine.

### Is net the same as taxable income?

No. Taxable income is after the standard deduction. Net is after all the withholding lines we model.

### Does net include my 401(k)?

The 401(k) leaves the check but is still yours in the plan. Net here is cash take-home.

## Related

- [Take-home pay calculator 2026](https://takehomecash.com/take-home-pay-calculator-2026/index.md)
- [Salary take-home by state](https://takehomecash.com/salary-take-home-pay/index.md)
- [Methodology](https://takehomecash.com/methodology/index.md)