Free calculator to find the actual paycheck amount taken home after taxes and deductions from salary, or to learn more about income tax in the U.S.
Use this calculator to estimate the actual paycheck amount that is brought home after taxes and deductions from salary. It can also be used to help fill steps 3 and 4 of a W-4 form. This calculator is intended for use by U.S. residents. The calculation is based on the 2022 tax brackets and the new W-4, which, in 2020, has had its first major change since 1987.
Your job income (salary)/year
Pay frequencyDailyWeeklyBi-weeklySemi-monthlyMonthlyQuarterlySemi-AnnuallyAnnually
File statusSingleFiling Jointly or Qualified WidowMarried Filing SeparatelyHead of Household
Number of children under age 17
Number of other dependents
Other income (not from jobs)/yearinterest, dividends, retirement income, etc.
Pretax deductions withheld/year401k, health insurance, HSA, etc.
Deductions not withheld/year IRA, student loan interest, etc.
Itemized deductions/yearmortgage interest, charitable donations, state/local/sales/property taxes, etc.
Has 2nd, 3rd job income or spouse has income?
Yes
No
In the U.S., the concept of personal income or salary usually references the before-tax amount, called gross pay. For instance, it is the form of income required on mortgage applications, is used to determine tax brackets, and is used when comparing salaries. This is because it is the raw income figure before other factors are applied, such as federal income tax, allowances, or health insurance deductions, all of which vary from person to person. However, in the context of personal finance, the more practical figure is after-tax income (sometimes referred to as disposable income or net income) because it is the figure that is actually disbursed. For instance, a person who lives paycheck-to-paycheck can calculate how much they will have available to pay next month's rent and expenses by using their take-home-paycheck amount.
Pay FrequencyDescription
DailyPay every working day. Uncommon for salaried jobs.
WeeklyPay each week, generally on the same day each pay period.
Bi-weeklyPay every other week, generally on the same day each pay period.
Semi-monthlyPay on specified dates twice a month, usually on the fifteenth and thirtieth.
MonthlyPay on a specified day once a month.
QuarterlyPay 4 times a year. Uncommon.
Semi-annuallyPay 2 times a year. Uncommon.
AnnuallyPay once a year. Uncommon.
It is important to make the distinction between bi-weekly and semi-monthly, even though they may seem similar at first glance. For the purposes of this calculator, bi-weekly payments occur every other week (though, in some cases, it can be used to mean twice a week). Also, a bi-weekly payment frequency generates two more paychecks a year (26 compared to 24 for semi-monthly). While a person on a bi-weekly payment schedule will receive two paychecks for ten months out of the year, they will receive three paychecks for the remaining two months.