How is take-home pay calculated?

Gross pay minus estimated federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and any pre-tax or post-tax deductions you enter. Net pay is what hits your bank account each period. Effective tax rate differs from your top marginal bracket because progressive brackets apply only to income in each band.

Does this include state tax?

This version covers US federal taxes and FICA-style deductions only. State and local income taxes are planned for a future update — enter them manually if you know your rate, or use results as a federal-only baseline when comparing job offers in different states.

What pay frequency should I use?

Match your employer schedule — biweekly (every two weeks) is the most common in the US, but semi-monthly and monthly are also supported. Pay frequency changes how much arrives each deposit but not annual gross pay unless hours or salary differ between scenarios.

How do 401(k) contributions affect taxes?

Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce federal taxable income in this estimate, lowering withholding on each paycheck. Roth contributions do not reduce current taxable income because they are funded with after-tax dollars. Enter your election to see approximate net pay with retirement savings included.

No — these are planning estimates only, not official payroll or filing figures. W-4 elections, credits, and state rules change actual withholding. Consult a tax professional or your payroll department before making major financial decisions based on this calculator output.