US Take Home Pay Calculator 2026
Form W-4 options: the child tax credit is $2,200 for each qualifying child under 17 and the credit for other dependents is $500 each, both federal only and reduced by $50 for every $1,000 of income over $200,000. If the credit is bigger than your federal income tax, part of the rest, up to $1,700 per child and limited by your earnings, comes back when you file, so it is shown separately and not counted in take home. Extra withholding (W-4 step 4(c)) is tax you ask your employer to hold back. It is not a tax: it lowers take home now and you get it back when you file. State credits for dependents are not modelled. Other W-4 steps (multiple jobs, other income, deductions) change how much is withheld, not the tax you owe, so they are not modelled.
A traditional 401(k) deferral lowers your federal and state income tax but not Social Security or Medicare. The $24,500 annual limit applies, and your employer match is not counted.
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Guides
How US federal income tax worksFICA explained: Social Security and MedicareHow a 401(k) changes your take home payState income tax and where you liveState payroll contributions explainedHow Form W-4 works