Paycheck Simulator
See what a raise, a bigger 401(k), an HSA, overtime or a bonus does to each paycheck before you change anything. Enter your current pay and a simulated version side by side; both run through 2026 federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and your state rate.
Paycheck simulator: current vs what-if
| Change one thing at a time | Current | Simulated |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary ($/year) | ||
| Raise (%) | ||
| Overtime hours per week (1.5×) | ||
| Bonus this year ($) | ||
| Traditional 401(k) (% of pay) | ||
| HSA / FSA through payroll ($/year) | ||
| Extra federal withholding per paycheck ($) |
What a paycheck simulator shows you
Every raise, overtime shift and 401(k) change is taxed at your marginal rate, not your average rate, so the change in take-home is always smaller than the change in gross pay. The simulator runs both versions of your year through 2026 federal brackets, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% over $200,000 single or $250,000 joint) and your state's 2026 income tax brackets (pick it from the list), then divides by your number of paychecks.
After tax wage calculator: what each change does
- 401(k) up from 5% to 10% on $70,000: $3,500 more saved, but take-home drops only about $2,940 a year because federal and state income tax fall. Social Security and Medicare still apply to 401(k) money.
- HSA or health FSA through payroll: skips income tax and Social Security and Medicare (Section 125), so $2,000 costs less than $2,000 of take-home.
- Overtime: paid at 1.5× and fully taxed in each paycheck. The 2025–2028 overtime deduction is claimed when you file, so it arrives as a refund.
- Bonus: employers usually withhold a flat 22% federal on bonuses; your real tax is settled on your return. The simulator shows the final annual tax.
Net check calculator, net earnings calculator, net wage calculator
These all mean the same thing: gross pay minus taxes and deductions. The figures here are estimates of your annual tax spread evenly across paychecks. Your employer's withholding follows your W-4 and IRS Publication 15-T, so individual checks can differ by a few dollars. Nine states have no wage income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming); pick your state and the simulator applies its 2026 brackets.
Common questions
What is a paycheck simulator?
A calculator that compares your current paycheck with a what-if version, for example after a raise, more 401(k) or overtime.
How much will a raise increase my paycheck?
By the raise minus your marginal tax. A $5,000 raise in the 22% bracket with 4% state tax adds about $3,320 a year after FICA, roughly $128 per biweekly check.
How much does increasing my 401(k) lower my paycheck?
Less than the contribution. Each $100 of traditional 401(k) cuts take-home by roughly $60 to $90, depending on your federal and state brackets.
Is overtime taxed more?
No. It's taxed at your normal rates; it just pushes more pay into your top bracket. For 2025–2028 you can deduct the overtime premium (up to $12,500, or $25,000 joint).
Why is my real paycheck different?
Withholding follows your W-4 and the IRS percentage tables, not your exact final tax, and benefits like health insurance premiums also come out pre-tax.
Sources
- IRS: 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), via Journal of Accountancy
- Social Security Administration: 2026 contribution and benefit base
- IRS Publication 15-T: Federal income tax withholding methods
- IRS: One, Big, Beautiful Bill provisions (no tax on overtime)
Related
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.