1. What is the Paycheck City Salary Calculator?

The Paycheck City Salary Calculator estimates your take-home pay (net pay) after accounting for federal tax (using 2025 brackets), state tax, and FICA contributions. It helps employees understand their actual earnings after deductions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• Gross Pay — Your total annual salary before deductions
• Federal Tax — Calculated using 2025 tax brackets
• State Tax — Varies by state (enter your estimated amount)
• FICA — Social Security and Medicare contributions (7.65% of gross pay up to Social Security wage base)

3. Importance of Net Pay Calculation

Details: Understanding your net pay helps with budgeting, financial planning, and evaluating job offers. It shows the actual amount you'll receive after mandatory deductions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your gross annual salary, estimated federal tax (based on 2025 brackets), state tax, and FICA contributions. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's included in FICA?
A: FICA includes Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes. For 2025, Social Security tax applies to the first $XXX,XXX of earnings (adjust for 2025).

Q2: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides a good estimate but actual paychecks may vary based on additional deductions (health insurance, retirement contributions, etc.).

Q3: Where can I find 2025 federal tax brackets?
A: IRS typically releases new brackets each year. Check IRS.gov for official 2025 tax brackets when available.

Q4: Does this account for state-specific deductions?
A: No, you need to enter your estimated state tax separately as state tax rules vary significantly.

Q5: Should I use this for tax planning?
A: While helpful for estimation, consult a tax professional for detailed tax planning.