Who We Are
AfterTaxesSalary.com is a free, independent salary and cost of living calculator built for workers, job seekers, and anyone trying to make smarter financial decisions. We are not affiliated with the IRS, any government agency, or any financial institution.
We built this tool because we were frustrated by salary calculators that were outdated, inaccurate, or too complicated. Our goal is simple: give anyone in the US a clear, honest answer to the question — "What do I actually take home after taxes?"
How We Calculate Your Salary After Taxes
Every calculation on this site uses the same methodology applied by payroll professionals. Here is exactly what we include in your after-taxes salary estimate:
Federal Income Tax
We apply the official 2026 IRS progressive tax brackets to your taxable income — your gross salary minus the federal standard deduction of $15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household. Federal rates range from 10% to 37% depending on your income level and filing status.
Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
All employees pay 6.2% Social Security tax on wages up to the 2026 wage base of $176,100, and 1.45% Medicare tax on all wages with no cap. High earners above $200,000 as a single filer pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surcharge. These deductions apply in every state including states with no income tax.
State Income Tax
We apply each state's official 2026 tax brackets, rates, and standard deductions. Nine states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. California additionally includes State Disability Insurance (SDI) at 0.9%.
What We Do Not Include
Our standard estimates do not account for 401(k) or 403(b) retirement contributions, employer health insurance premiums, local city taxes (such as New York City, Philadelphia, or Detroit), self-employment tax, or other voluntary deductions. Use the optional pre-tax deduction fields in our calculator to approximate the impact of 401(k) and health insurance.
Our Data Sources
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Official 2026 federal tax brackets, standard deductions, and FICA rates from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-28 and related IRS publications. Updated annually each October when new brackets are announced.
State Departments of Revenue
State income tax brackets and standard deductions sourced directly from each state's revenue or taxation authority, cross-referenced with the Tax Foundation's annual state tax comparison guide.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Annual Social Security wage base, announced by the SSA each October for the following tax year.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Cost of living index figures and regional consumer expenditure data used in our state cost of living estimates and budget breakdowns.
Zillow Research
Average rental prices by bedroom size and median home prices by state, from Zillow's publicly available rental market dataset.
Numbeo and MIT Living Wage Calculator
Supplementary cost of living averages including groceries, transport, childcare and healthcare costs by state, validated against BLS consumer expenditure surveys.
How We Keep Data Accurate and Current
Tax brackets change every year due to inflation adjustments. We use an automated AI-powered monitoring system that checks official IRS and state revenue authority pages weekly throughout the year. When a change is detected, our system extracts the updated data and validates it against the previous year's figures before any change is published.
Our editorial team reviews all flagged changes before they go live on the site. All data is comprehensively reviewed and updated each January when new tax year brackets take effect. The current dataset reflects tax year 2026 brackets, last verified January 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are the after-taxes salary calculations?
Our calculations are highly accurate for standard salaried employees using the standard deduction. For most workers, the result will be within 1–3% of their actual paycheck. The main sources of variation are pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums, local city taxes, and itemised deductions. Use our optional deduction fields for a more personalised estimate.
Does the calculator cover self-employed workers?
Self-employed individuals pay both the employer and employee portions of FICA — 15.3% combined versus 7.65% for employees. Our standard calculator does not include this. Self-employed users should roughly double the FICA figures shown to estimate their total self-employment tax burden, and should also account for the self-employment tax deduction on their federal return.
Why does my actual paycheck differ from your estimate?
The most common reasons are employer health insurance deductions, 401(k) contributions, local city taxes, or state-specific deductions not captured by our calculator. Use the optional deduction fields to adjust. If you live in a city with local income tax such as New York City, Philadelphia, or Detroit, your actual take-home will be lower than our estimate.
Is AfterTaxesSalary.com affiliated with the IRS or any government agency?
No. AfterTaxesSalary.com is an independent, privately operated website. We are not affiliated with the IRS, any state tax authority, or any government agency. Our data is sourced from official public records but we are not an official government resource.
How often is the tax data updated?
We update our tax data annually each January when new IRS brackets take effect. Our automated monitoring system also checks for mid-year legislative changes at the state level. All changes are reviewed by our editorial team before publication. The current dataset reflects tax year 2026, last verified January 2026.
Can I use your data for professional tax advice?
No. Our calculator is for informational and planning purposes only. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified tax professional, CPA, enrolled agent, or financial advisor. For complex tax situations, please consult a licensed professional.
How do I convert an hourly wage to an annual salary?
For a standard 40-hour work week: multiply your hourly rate by 2,080 (52 weeks multiplied by 40 hours). For example, $25 per hour equals approximately $52,000 per year. Enter this figure into our calculator to see your after-taxes salary and take-home pay.
Why is California's take-home pay so much lower than Texas?
California has one of the highest state income tax rates in the US at up to 13.3%, while Texas has zero state income tax. On a $100,000 salary, a California single filer pays roughly $6,000 to $9,000 more in state taxes than a Texas resident. However, Texas compensates through higher property taxes, and cost of living in major Texas cities has risen significantly in recent years.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All calculations on AfterTaxesSalary.com are estimates for informational and planning purposes only. They do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently and individual circumstances vary. Always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your personal situation. AfterTaxesSalary.com accepts no liability for decisions made based on information provided on this site.