Paycheck Tax Withholding Estimator
Estimate the federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withheld from each paycheck. Enter your gross pay, pay frequency, filing status, and W-4 allowances to see your total deductions and projected net pay in seconds.
Advertisement
Estimated Withholding
Gross pay$0.00
Federal income tax$0.00
Social Security (6.2%)$0.00
Medicare (1.45%)$0.00
Total deductions$0.00
Estimated net pay$0.00
Disclaimer: This is an estimate using simplified tax bracket math. Use IRS Form W-4 for precise withholding.
Advertisement
How Federal Withholding Works
Your employer withholds federal income tax from each paycheck based on the W-4 you filled out at hire. The IRS uses a progressive bracket system — the more you earn, the higher the rate on each additional dollar. Standard deductions and W-4 allowances reduce the amount of income subject to tax. FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security up to the wage cap, 1.45% Medicare with no cap) come out separately and are not affected by your W-4.
Tips to Adjust Your Withholding
- Getting a big refund every year? You're overwithholding — claim more allowances on your W-4 to keep more in each paycheck.
- Owing taxes in April? Reduce allowances or add extra withholding on line 4(c) of your W-4.
- Major life event (marriage, baby, second job)? File a new W-4 with your HR department right away.
- Use the official IRS Tax Withholding Estimator at irs.gov for the most accurate result.