Free Pay Stub Calculator
Calculate Your Paycheck After Taxes & Generate Professional Pay Stubs
Account for federal, state, and local taxes, plus common deductions like FICA, Medicare, health insurance, and retirement contributions. Create accurate pay stubs instantly.
Your Pay Stub Preview
Fill out the form to generate your personalized pay stub. Follow the steps to provide all necessary information.
Did you know?
- The average American worker will receive over 1,000 pay stubs in their lifetime
- In most states, employers are legally required to provide pay stubs
- Digital pay stubs reduce paper waste and are easier to store
- Keeping your pay stubs is important for tax purposes and loan applications
Understanding Your Federal Paycheck
Quick Facts
- Federal income tax rates range from 10% up to 37%
- The U.S. median household income in 2023 was $77,719 (adjusted for inflation)
- 9 U.S. states don't impose their own income tax for tax years 2024 and 2025
How Your Paycheck Works
When you start a new job or get a raise, you'll agree to either an hourly wage or an annual salary. But calculating your weekly take-home pay isn't a simple matter of multiplying your hourly wage by the number of hours you'll work each week, or dividing your annual salary by 52. That's because your employer withholds taxes from each paycheck, lowering your overall pay.
Tax withholding is the money that comes out of your paycheck in order to pay taxes, with the biggest one being income taxes. The federal government collects your income tax payments gradually throughout the year by taking directly from each of your paychecks. It's your employer's responsibility to withhold this money based on the information you provide in your Form W-4.
Federal Tax Brackets
2024 Tax Year (due April 2025)
| Taxable Income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $11,600 | 10% |
| $11,600 - $47,150 | 12% |
| $47,150 - $100,525 | 22% |
| $100,525 - $191,950 | 24% |
| $191,950 - $243,725 | 32% |
| $243,725 - $609,350 | 35% |
| $609,350+ | 37% |
2025 Tax Year (due April 2026)
| Taxable Income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $11,925 | 10% |
| $11,925 - $48,475 | 12% |
| $48,475 - $103,350 | 22% |
| $103,350 - $197,300 | 24% |
| $197,300 - $250,525 | 32% |
| $250,525 - $626,350 | 35% |
| $626,350+ | 37% |
FICA Withholding
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes are your contribution to Social Security and Medicare programs. These contributions are shared between employees and employers:
- Social Security tax: 6.2% (income up to $168,600 for 2024, $176,100 for 2025)
- Medicare tax: 1.45% (no income limit)
- Additional Medicare tax: 0.9% for high earners
Additional Medicare Tax Thresholds:
- $200,000 for single filers, heads of household and qualifying widow(er)s
- $250,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly
- $125,000 for married taxpayers filing separately
Common Paycheck Deductions
Beyond mandatory federal tax and FICA withholdings, several other deductions may affect your take-home pay:
Pre-tax Deductions
- Health insurance premiums
- HSA/FSA contributions
- Traditional 401(k) or 403(b) contributions
- State and local taxes
Post-tax Deductions
- Roth 401(k) contributions
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Union dues
Pay Frequency
Your pay frequency affects the size of each paycheck. Common pay schedules include:
- Monthly (12 paychecks per year)
- Semi-monthly (24 paychecks per year, on set dates)
- Bi-weekly (26 paychecks per year)
- Weekly (52 paychecks per year)
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this pay stub calculator?
This calculator provides a close estimate of your take-home pay based on common tax rates and deductions. For the most accurate calculations, we recommend adjusting the tax percentages to match your specific tax brackets and consulting with a tax professional for personalized advice. The calculator uses standard FICA rates (6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare) but does not account for state-specific rules or special circumstances.
Are the generated pay stubs legally valid?
The pay stubs generated by this calculator are for informational purposes only and are not official payroll documents. While they can be useful for personal record-keeping, budgeting, and estimating taxes, they should not be used as official documentation for loan applications, housing verification, or legal purposes. Official pay stubs must be issued by an employer or authorized payroll provider following applicable regulations.
How do I calculate overtime pay correctly?
Standard overtime is typically calculated at 1.5 times (time and a half) your regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 hours per week. In the calculator, enter your regular hourly rate, standard hours worked (up to 40), and then any overtime hours separately. The calculator will automatically apply the overtime multiplier (default 1.5x) to calculate your overtime pay. Some jobs or locations may have different overtime rules, so you can adjust the overtime rate multiplier as needed.
What's the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out. It includes your base pay (hourly wages or salary), overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Net pay, also called take-home pay, is what you actually receive after all deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. Deductions typically include federal and state income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA), health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and other withholdings. The pay stub calculator shows both values so you can understand the complete breakdown of your earnings.
Local Tax Factors
State and local taxes can significantly impact your take-home pay. Like federal taxes, these are typically withheld from each paycheck based on your location and local tax rates. Consider consulting a tax professional to understand your specific local tax obligations.