Employee Payroll Tax Calculator
Calculate mandatory employee paycheck tax withholdings (Social Security, Medicare, Federal, State) and determine exact net take-home pay per pay period.
Paycheck Deductions & Take-Home
Employee Paycheck Deduction Formula
Taxable Wages = Gross Pay − Pretax Deductions | Withholdings = SS (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%) + Fed Tax + State Tax | Net Pay = Gross − Pretax − Withholdings- Gross Pay Per Period: Base salary or hourly wages earned in the pay frequency cycle.
- Pre-Tax Deductions: Traditional 401(k), HSA, dental, and medical insurance deductions reduce income tax withholdings.
- FICA Withholdings: 6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare.
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
How to Use This Calculator
Assumptions & Limitations
- FICA is computed on gross pay before 401(k) deferrals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t 401(k) reduce Social Security and Medicare taxes?
Under the Internal Revenue Code, traditional 401(k) contributions are exempt from federal and state income taxes, but they remain fully subject to FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare).
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