Salary Tax Calculator – Take-Home Pay

Progressive tax systems slice income into brackets and charge each slice its own rate — no one pays the top rate on everything. The calculator first subtracts the standard deduction (16,100 single / 32,200 married for US 2026) to get taxable income, then walks the brackets. Example: an 85,000 taxable income (single) owes 10% on the first 12,400 (1,240), 12% on the slice to 50,400 (4,560), and 22% on the remaining 34,600 (7,612) — total 13,412, an effective rate of 15.8% despite sitting in the 22% bracket. The marginal/effective distinction kills the perennial myth that a raise "pushes you into a higher bracket and loses money": only the dollars above the threshold are taxed more. Add FICA-style payroll taxes and state income tax layers for full take-home accuracy.

1. 1

   Step 1

   Enter gross annual salary and filing status.

2. 2

   Step 2

   The tool subtracts the standard deduction to find taxable income.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Each bracket slice is taxed at its own rate and summed.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Read total tax, effective rate, and estimated take-home pay.

• Fearing the next bracket

• Skipping the standard deduction

• Ignoring payroll taxes