FINANCIAL · INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

Income Tax Withholding Calculator

Estimate your federal income tax withheld per paycheck using 2026 IRS Publication 15-T tables — enter gross pay, pay frequency, filing status, and W-4 steps 2–4 to see per-period and annual withholding. For federal tax only.

Paycheck Information

Before taxes or deductions

W-4 Step 1 — Filing Status
W-4 Steps 3 & 4 (Optional)

e.g. $2,000 per qualifying child

Non-wage income (interest, dividends, side income)

Itemized deductions exceeding standard, or above-the-line

Additional amount withheld each paycheck

02 Estimate
Federal Withholding Per Paycheck
$320.38
Estimated annual: $8,329.88
Gross pay per period$3,000.00
Pay periods per year26
Annualized gross wages$78,000.00
2026 standard deduction$16,100.00
Adjusted annual wages$61,900.00
Effective withholding rate10.68%
Tax year2026

About This Calculator

Estimate how much federal income tax will be withheld from your paycheck based on the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T percentage method tables. Enter your gross pay, pay frequency, and W-4 filing status — and optionally your W-4 Step 2 (multiple jobs checkbox), Step 3 (dependents credit), Step 4a (other income), Step 4b (extra deductions), and Step 4c (additional withholding per period) — to see per-paycheck and estimated annual withholding. Note: this calculator covers federal income tax withholding only (not FICA).

How It Works

The calculator annualizes your gross pay, subtracts the applicable 2026 standard deduction (adjusted for W-4 Step 4b deductions and the Step 2 multiple-jobs checkbox), applies the IRS percentage-method bracket table to compute annual tax, subtracts the Step 3 dependents credit, adds Step 4c additional withholding, and divides by pay periods for the per-paycheck amount. The IRS Pub 15-T Worksheet 1 method is used.

The Formula

Withholding = (bracket_tax(adjustedWages) − dependentsCredit) / periods + extra

adjustedWages
Annualized gross wages minus standard deduction and Step 4b
bracket_tax
IRS 2026 percentage-method bracket table
dependentsCredit
W-4 Step 3 amount (e.g. $2,000 per qualifying child)
periods
Pay periods per year (52, 26, 24, 12, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this calculator cover FICA (Social Security and Medicare)?
No. This calculator covers federal income tax withholding only, based on the IRS Pub 15-T percentage method tables. Use the Payroll Tax Calculator for Social Security and Medicare withholding. Your pay stub's total federal deductions include both income tax withholding and FICA.
What is the W-4 Step 2 "multiple jobs" checkbox?
If you (or your spouse, if filing jointly) have more than one job at the same time, checking Step 2 instructs your employer to withhold at a higher rate — effectively using the MFS (Married Filing Separately) brackets even if you file MFJ. This prevents under-withholding when two incomes push you into a higher combined bracket.
What does Step 3 dependents credit do?
Step 3 allows you to claim credits for qualifying dependents, reducing the amount withheld. For qualifying children under 17, the credit is $2,000 per child. For other dependents, it is $500. Enter the total credit amount on your W-4 Step 3 and here.
Why might my actual withholding differ from this estimate?
Several factors can cause differences — your employer may use a different withholding method (wage bracket vs. percentage method), you may have pre-tax deductions (health insurance, 401(k), HSA) that reduce your taxable wages, or your pay may vary. This is an educational estimate; compare against your pay stub to verify.
How do I use this to check if I'm under- or over-withholding?
Compare your estimated annual withholding from this calculator against your expected total tax liability (use the Tax Bracket Calculator for that). If withholding < expected tax, you may owe a balance (and possibly a penalty) in April. If withholding > expected tax, you'll get a refund.