---
title: "Paychecks: Guides and News | TaxWren Blog"
description: "Withholding, bonuses, overtime and take-home pay. 4 plain-English articles with figures from IRS and state data."
url: https://taxwren.com/blog/paychecks
---

# Paychecks

Withholding, bonuses, overtime and take-home pay.

-   [
    
    Explainer · Paychecks
    
    22%
    
    federal withholding on most bonuses
    
    Explainer · Updated October 10, 2026Bonus tax rate 2026: why 22% is withheld and what you really payBonuses are withheld at a flat 22% federal rate (37% over $1,000,000) plus FICA and state tax, but taxed at your normal rates. Who gets money back and who owes.](/blog/bonus-tax-rate)
-   [
    
    Explainer · Paychecks
    
    16%
    
    of a $60,000 salary goes to tax (Texas)
    
    Explainer · Updated October 10, 2026How much tax is taken out of a paycheck in 2026?What comes out of each paycheck in 2026: federal income tax, 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare and state tax, with amounts per paycheck by salary and by state.](/blog/how-much-tax-is-taken-out-of-paycheck)
-   [
    
    Explainer · Paychecks
    
    $12,500
    
    top overtime deduction per return
    
    Explainer · Updated October 10, 2026No tax on overtime, explainedHow the overtime deduction works in 2026: only the premium counts, up to $12,500 ($25,000 joint), paychecks are still taxed, and how much it saves.](/blog/no-tax-on-overtime)
-   [
    
    Explainer · Paychecks
    
    $184,500
    
    Social Security wage base in 2026
    
    Explainer · Updated October 10, 2026Social Security tax cap 2026: wage base and maximum taxIn 2026, Social Security tax stops at $184,500 of wages: up to $11,439 for employees and $22,878 if self-employed. Medicare has no cap.](/blog/social-security-tax-cap)

## Calculators for paychecks

-   [Take-home pay calculatorGross to net salary after federal, FICA, state and local taxes.](/take-home-pay-calculator)
-   [Bonus tax calculatorBonus check after the 22% federal flat withholding, FICA and state tax, and what the bonus really costs at year end.](/bonus-tax-calculator)
-   [No tax on overtime calculatorQualified overtime premium, the no tax on overtime deduction after the cap and income limit, and the federal tax it saves.](/no-tax-on-overtime-calculator)