Professional User Guide
1. Federal Tax and Standard Deductions
This calculator automatically applies the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 for Single, $32,200 for Married) to your gross salary before calculating federal income tax. This represents the portion of your income that is not subject to federal tax, providing a more accurate net pay estimate.
2. Understanding FICA Taxes
FICA taxes include Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Note that for 2026, Social Security tax is only applied to the first $184,500 of your earnings. If your salary exceeds this limit, your effective tax rate will appear lower as a percentage of your total income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is salary after tax calculated?
Salary after tax is calculated by subtracting federal income tax, state income tax (if applicable), and FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) from your gross annual salary.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
For the 2026 tax year, the projected standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly.