# WageTakeHome — US Paycheck & Take-Home Pay Knowledge Base

> WageTakeHome (https://wagetakehome.com) is an independent, authoritative personal finance utility providing verified US paycheck and take-home pay calculations for employees, freelancers, and job seekers. All mathematical models are updated for Tax Year 2026 based on official publications from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and respective state departments of revenue.

## Core Features & Calculation Engine
- **Federal Withholding:** IRS Publication 15-T Percentage Method withholding for Single, Married Filing Jointly, and Head of Household across Weekly, Biweekly, Semimonthly, and Monthly pay periods. Supports standard brackets and 2020+ Form W-4 Step 2 checkbox rules.
- **FICA Taxes:** Social Security tax (6.2% up to the statutory wage ceiling of $181,800 for 2026) and Medicare tax (1.45% base + 0.9% Additional Medicare tax on cumulative wages exceeding $200,000).
- **Deduction Priority:** Pre-tax Section 125 deductions (exempt from Federal, State, and FICA taxes), pre-tax 401(k) retirement contributions (exempt from Federal and State taxes, subject to FICA per IRC § 3121(a)(5), except in Pennsylvania), and post-tax payroll deductions.
- **Privacy:** 100% client-side computation. No user salary or personal data is collected or stored.

## Paycheck Calculators by State
- [California Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/california-paycheck-calculator/): Calculates California PIT using Form DE 44 Method B progressive brackets and uncapped 1.2% State Disability Insurance (SDI) under SB 951.
- [Texas Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/texas-paycheck-calculator/): Texas imposes zero individual state income tax. Details federal income tax and FICA payroll obligations.
- [Florida Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/florida-paycheck-calculator/): Florida has no individual state wage tax. Details federal tax withholding and take-home retention.
- [Washington Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/washington-paycheck-calculator/): Washington has no broad personal wage tax, but withholds state Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML, 0.74%) and WA Cares Fund (0.58%).
- [New York Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/new-york-paycheck-calculator/): Computes NYS withholding schedules and optional New York City (NYC) or Yonkers resident local income taxes.
- [Illinois Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/illinois-paycheck-calculator/): Models Illinois flat 4.95% state income tax withholding with standard statutory exemption allowances.
- [Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/pennsylvania-paycheck-calculator/): Models Pennsylvania flat 3.07% withholding and the statutory non-exemption of traditional 401(k) contributions (REV-415).
- [Ohio Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/ohio-paycheck-calculator/): Computes Ohio graduated state tax brackets, 0% initial rate tier, and municipal/school district withholding.
- [Georgia Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/georgia-paycheck-calculator/): Models Georgia flat 5.39% individual income tax under HB 1015 with standard deduction credits.
- [Arizona Paycheck Calculator](https://wagetakehome.com/arizona-paycheck-calculator/): Calculates Arizona flat 2.5% statutory rate and Form A-4 percentage withholding election mapping.
- [All 50 States Directory](https://wagetakehome.com/paycheck-calculator/): Full state directory and comparison table.

## Authoritative Editorial & Tax Guides
- [How Federal Income Tax Withholding Works](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/how-federal-income-tax-withholding-works/): Detailed guide to IRS Pub 15-T, Form W-4 steps, and percentage method tables.
- [California State Income Tax Explained](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/california-state-income-tax-explained/): Explains California PIT brackets, DE 4 elections, and SDI deduction rules.
- [401(k) Contributions and Take-Home Pay](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/401k-contributions-and-take-home-pay/): How pre-tax retirement reduces federal/state tax liabilities without reducing FICA wages.
- [What Is FICA Tax?](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/what-is-fica-tax/): Social Security limits ($181,800), Medicare rates, and the high-earner 0.9% surcharge.
- [How to Fill Out Form W-4](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/how-to-fill-out-w4/): Step-by-step instructions for completing the redesign Form W-4 to avoid tax refund surprises or penalties.
- [Weekly vs. Biweekly vs. Semimonthly Pay](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/weekly-vs-biweekly-vs-semimonthly-pay/): Breakdown of 52 vs. 26 vs. 24 paychecks per year and budgeting strategies.
- [Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Deductions](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/pre-tax-vs-post-tax-deductions/): Comprehensive taxability matrix for health insurance, HSA/FSA, 401(k), Roth, and garnishments.
- [Salary vs. Hourly Pay: Take-Home Differences](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/salary-vs-hourly-pay/): Overtime rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) vs. exempt salaried compensation.
- [Gross Pay vs. Net Pay: The Complete Guide](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/gross-pay-vs-net-pay/): The mathematical journey from gross job offer to net deposited paycheck.
- [How to Read Your Pay Stub](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/how-to-read-your-pay-stub/): Line-by-line breakdown of mandatory payroll abbreviations, deductions, and YTD balances.
- [Why Your Paycheck Changes Throughout the Year](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/why-your-paycheck-changes/): Reasons take-home pay fluctuates, including hitting the Social Security cap or 401(k) maximums.
- [What Happens When You Get a Raise?](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/what-happens-when-you-get-a-raise/): Debunking the myth that moving into a higher tax bracket reduces your total take-home pay.
- [Social Security Wage Base Explained](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/social-security-wage-base-explained/): Why Social Security tax withholding abruptly stops after earning $181,800 in a calendar year.
- [State Income Tax vs. Payroll Deductions](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/state-income-tax-vs-payroll-deductions/): Differentiating general fund income taxes from state-mandated disability and paid family leave programs.
- [How to Estimate Monthly Take-Home Pay](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/how-to-estimate-monthly-take-home-pay/): Accurate monthly budgeting formulas from biweekly and weekly paychecks.
- [Paycheck Calculator Assumptions & Methodology](https://wagetakehome.com/guides/paycheck-calculator-assumptions/): Transparent mathematical boundaries, rounding rules, and limitations.

## Methodology & Verification
- [Calculation Methodology](https://wagetakehome.com/methodology/): Step-by-step explanation of the computational pipeline.
- [Official Sources Registry](https://wagetakehome.com/sources/): Direct citations of primary government sources (IRS, SSA, California EDD/FTB, NY DTF, etc.).
- [Editorial Policy](https://wagetakehome.com/editorial-policy/): Fact-checking protocols, correction policy, and research standards.
- [Rule Updates Changelog](https://wagetakehome.com/updates/): Historical log of tax table adjustments and platform releases.

## Contact & Governance
- Website: https://wagetakehome.com
- Inquiries & Support: contact@wagetakehome.com
- General Information: info@wagetakehome.com
- Privacy Choices: https://wagetakehome.com/privacy-policy/#privacy-choices