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Paycheck Estimators

About Paycheck Estimators

Last updated 2026-10-04

Paycheck Estimators is a free paycheck estimator for US workers and small employers. We built it because the most popular calculators either hide results behind lead forms, push financial advisers, or still use last year's tax rates. Our rule is simple: show the right number fast, explain every line, and never ask for your email to do it.

How we calculate

  • Federal income tax: IRS Publication 15-T (2026), percentage method for Forms W-4 from 2020 or later (Worksheet 1A), including the Step 2 checkbox schedules and the 2026 W-4 tips/overtime deduction in Step 4(b).
  • FICA: Social Security 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500; Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% Additional Medicare above $200,000.
  • State income tax: each state's own employer withholding formula for 2026 (for example Georgia DOR Employer's Tax Guide, California EDD Method B, NYS-50-T). Each state page lists its exact source.
  • Local tax and state insurance: NYC, Yonkers, Michigan cities, Ohio municipalities and school districts; CA SDI, NJ UI/TDI/FLI and NY SDI/PFL with their 2026 caps.

We test the engine against the worked examples printed in the official publications (the Georgia, California, New York and Ohio examples match to the cent) every time we change it.

How we keep it up to date

  1. Every January we load the new IRS Publication 15-T and each state's new withholding tables.
  2. In July we re-check every state for mid-year changes (in 2026, Georgia changed its rate on May 11 and Ohio on August 1).
  3. Every page shows the date its tables were last verified. If you spot a difference from your pay stub, tell us.

Editorial standards

Content is written and reviewed by the Paycheck Estimators editorial team using primary sources only (IRS, state revenue and labor departments). We link every number to its source. We don't accept payment to change results or rankings.

Important

Paycheck Estimators provides estimates for information only. It is not tax, legal, accounting or payroll advice, and it isn't a payroll service. Your employer's payroll may differ because of rounding, benefits, supplemental pay or local rules.