How US Paycheck Calculations Work
Your paycheck take-home pay is determined by subtracting Federal Income Tax, FICA Taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare), and State Income Tax from your gross earnings after accounting for pre-tax benefits.
1. Net Paycheck Take-Home Formula
Net Paycheck=Gross Pay−Federal Tax−FICA (7.65%)−State Tax−Deductions
2. Federal Taxable Income Baseline Formula
Taxable Income = Gross Salary − Pre-Tax Deductions (401k/HSA) − Standard Deduction
Step-by-Step Worked Example ($95,000 Salary, Single Filer, California, Biweekly Pay)
Step 1: Gross Pay & Pre-Tax Retirement Contributions
• Gross Annual Salary: $95,000.00 ($3,653.85 / biweekly paycheck)
• Pre-Tax Deductions (401k / Health): $8,000.00 / year
• Adjusted Taxable Wage Base: $95,000 − $8,000 = $87,000.00
Step 2: Federal & State Tax Withholding
• Federal Income Tax: ~$10,950.00 / year ($421.15 / check)
• Social Security (6.2%): $5,394.00 / year ($207.46 / check)
• Medicare (1.45%): $1,261.50 / year ($48.52 / check)
• California State Income Tax: ~$4,800.00 / year ($184.62 / check)
• Total Tax Withholding: ~$22,405.50 / year
Step 3: Final Net Paycheck & Annual Take-Home Cash
• Net Pay per Biweekly Check: ~$2,484.40 / paycheck
Annual Net Take-Home: ~$64,594.50 | Monthly: ~$5,382.88 | Weekly: ~$1,242.20