TaxWrenKey takeaways
- Every paycheck loses 6.2% to Social Security and 1.45% to Medicare, plus federal income tax that depends on your pay and your Form W-4.
- On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks, a single filer in a state without income tax keeps about $1,938 of each $2,308 paycheck: 16% goes to tax.
- State income tax adds anything from nothing (9 states tax no wages) to several percent, and a few states also take a payroll tax.
- Traditional 401(k) contributions shrink the paycheck but also lower the income tax taken from it.
On this page
A single filer earning $60,000 and paid every two weeks gets a gross paycheck of $2,308. In a state without income tax, about $193 goes to federal income tax, $143 to Social Security and $33 to Medicare, leaving $1,938. Here is what each tax is, how much it takes at different salaries and in different states, and why your own paycheck may differ.
What taxes come out of a paycheck?
- Federal income tax. Your employer withholds it based on your pay and the Form W-4 you gave them. It is the only paycheck tax that depends on your filing status, dependents and deductions.
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages, up to $184,500 of wages in 2026.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000.
- State income tax in most states; 9 states do not tax wages. A few cities and counties add a local income tax.
- State payroll taxes in some states, for example California (CA State Disability Insurance (SDI), 1.30%), Massachusetts (MA Paid Family and Medical Leave, 0.46%), Washington (WA Cares long-term care tax and 0.58%).
Social Security and Medicare together are often called FICA. Your employer pays the same Social Security and regular Medicare amounts on top of your pay, which do not come out of your check.
How much tax comes out at different salaries?
Single filer in Texas (no state income tax), paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), standard W-4, no pre-tax deductions:
| Salary | Paycheck | Federal | Social Security | Medicare | Take-home | Tax share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,538 | $101 | $95 | $22 | $1,320 | 14.2% |
| $60,000 | $2,308 | $193 | $143 | $33 | $1,938 | 16% |
| $80,000 | $3,077 | $337 | $191 | $45 | $2,504 | 18.6% |
| $100,000 | $3,846 | $507 | $238 | $56 | $3,045 | 20.8% |
| $150,000 | $5,769 | $951 | $358 | $84 | $4,377 | 24.1% |
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, spread evenly over the year. Withholding from your employer follows IRS Publication 15-T and your W-4, so it can differ by a few dollars a paycheck.
The share grows with salary because federal income tax is progressive, while Social Security and Medicare are flat. For your own salary, filing status and pay schedule, use the take-home pay calculator.
How much does my state take?
The same $75,000 salary, single filer, per paycheck every two weeks:
| State | State income tax | State payroll tax | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $0 | — | $2,369 |
| Florida | $0 | — | $2,369 |
| California | $107 | $38 | $2,225 |
| New York | $133 | — | $2,236 |
| Illinois | $137 | — | $2,232 |
| Pennsylvania | $89 | — | $2,280 |
| North Carolina | $96 | — | $2,273 |
| Massachusetts | $136 | $13 | $2,220 |
State income tax for the year divided by 26; no local income taxes (New York City, for example, would add more). Federal tax, Social Security and Medicare are the same in every state.
Why is my paycheck smaller than expected?
- Pre-tax deductions. Traditional 401(k) contributions come out before income tax. They make the check smaller but also lower the income tax withheld, while still counting as wages for Social Security and Medicare.
- Your W-4. An old W-4, a second job or extra withholding you asked for can change the federal amount a lot.
- Bonuses and overtime. A bonus can be withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, which can look high; see the bonus tax calculator.
- Local and payroll taxes. City or county income taxes and state disability or leave taxes are easy to miss on a pay stub.
How do I change how much tax is taken out?
Give your employer a new Form W-4. It controls only federal income tax withholding; Social Security and Medicare are fixed percentages. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator works out what to enter so that withholding comes close to the tax you will owe, which avoids a large bill or a large refund at filing time. If you also earn freelance income, raising your W-4 withholding can replace quarterly estimated payments.
Sources
- IRS: Publication 15-T, Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods (official)
- IRS: Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates (official)
- IRS: Tax Withholding Estimator (official)
Figures come from the data files behind our calculators and update with them. See our methodology and editorial policy. This article is general information, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes?
For a single filer with no state income tax, about 14.2% at $40,000 a year, 16% at $60,000 a year, 18.6% at $80,000 a year, 20.8% at $100,000 a year, 24.1% at $150,000 a year in 2026. State income tax, if your state has one, comes on top.
How much federal tax is taken out of a paycheck?
It depends on your pay and your Form W-4. For a single filer paid every two weeks, federal income tax is about $101 per paycheck on $40,000 a year, $193 per paycheck on $60,000 a year, $337 per paycheck on $80,000 a year, $507 per paycheck on $100,000 a year, $951 per paycheck on $150,000 a year in 2026, before any state tax.
What are FICA taxes on my paycheck?
Social Security (6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000). Your employer pays the same Social Security and regular Medicare tax on top.
How do I get less tax taken out of my paycheck?
Give your employer a new Form W-4 if your situation changed, for example a new child, a second job ending or deductions you expect. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator shows what to enter. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions also lower the income tax withheld.
Run your own numbers
- Take-home pay calculator
Gross to net salary after federal, FICA, state and local taxes.
- Income tax calculator
Federal and state income tax owed for 2026.
- Bonus tax calculator
Bonus check after the 22% federal flat withholding, FICA and state tax, and what the bonus really costs at year end.