United States tax guides
Short, plain English explainers with the 2026 figures.
How US federal income tax worksThe standard deduction, the 2026 federal tax brackets for a single filer, and the difference between marginal and average rate.FICA explained: Social Security and MedicareThe Social Security and Medicare rates, the $184,500 Social Security wage cap and the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax for 2026.How a 401(k) changes your take home payHow a traditional 401(k) lowers income tax but not FICA, the $24,500 limit for 2026, and the states that still tax your deferral.State income tax and where you liveWhich states have no tax on wages, how flat and graduated state taxes differ, and what the same salary takes home in eight states.State payroll contributions explainedState disability, paid family leave and similar deductions that come out of your pay on top of state income tax, with the rates in our data.How Form W-4 worksWhat each step of the 2026 Form W-4 does, how the $2,200 child credit and extra withholding change your paycheck, and what the calculator models.