Take home pay is calculated based on up to six different hourly pay rates that you enter along with the pertinent federal, state, and local W4 information. This federal hourly paycheck calculator is perfect for those who are paid on an hourly basis.
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How Your Paycheck Works
What’s an hourly paycheck calculator?
An hourly calculator lets you enter the hours you worked and amount earned per hour and calculate your net pay (paycheck amount after taxes). You will see what federal and state taxes were deducted based on the information entered. You can use this tool to see how changing your paycheck affects your tax results.
What is gross pay?
Gross pay amount is earnings before taxes and deductions are withheld by the employer. The gross pay in the hourly calculator is calculated by multiplying the hours times the rate. You can add multiple rates. This calculator will take a gross pay and calculate the net pay, which is the employee’s take-home pay.
Gross pay - Taxes - Benefits/other deductions = Net pay (your take-home pay)
What is the gross pay method?
The gross pay method refers to whether the gross pay is an annual amount or a per period amount. Per period amount is your gross pay every payday, which is typically what you use for hourly employees. The annual amount is your gross pay for the whole year.
What is pay frequency?
Pay frequency refers to the frequency with which employers pay their employees. The pay frequency starts the entire payroll process and determines when you need to run payroll and withhold taxes.
What is the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly?
Bi-weekly is once every other week with 26 payrolls per year, or 27 during a leap year like 2024. Semi-monthly is twice per month with 24 payrolls per year.
What are my withholding requirements?
Employers and employees are subject to income tax withholding. There are federal and state withholding requirements. Find federal and state withholding requirements in our Payroll Resources.
How do I know if I’m exempt from federal taxes?
You are tax-exempt when you do not meet the requirements for paying tax. This usually happens because your income is lower than the tax threshold (also known as the standard deduction). For 2024, you need to make less than:
- single filer or married filing separately: $14,600
- married joint filers: $29,200
- head of household: $21,900
If you are 65 or older, or if you are blind, different income thresholds may apply. Check the IRS Publication 505 for current laws.
Claiming exempt from federal tax withholding on your W4 when you aren’t eligible isn’t illegal but it can have major consequences. You might receive a large tax bill and possible penalties after you file your tax return.
What’s the difference between single and head of household?
Someone who qualifies as head of household may be taxed less on their income than if filing as single. This is because the tax brackets are wider meaning you can earn more but be taxed at a lower percentage. This status applies for people who aren’t married, but adhere to special rules. If you’ve paid for more than half the cost of your household (with a qualifying dependent), consider this status. Be sure to double check all the stipulations before selecting, however. Picking the wrong filing status could cost you time and money.
How is Federal Withholding (Federal Income Tax) calculated?
The more taxable income you have, the higher tax rate you are subject to. This calculation process can be complex, so PaycheckCity’s free calculators can do it for you! To learn how to manually calculate federal income tax, use these step-by-step instructions and examples.
The federal income tax is a tax on annual earnings for individuals, businesses, and other legal entities. All wages, salaries, cash gifts from employers, business income, tips, gambling income, bonuses, and unemployment benefits are subject to a federal income tax.
For each payroll, federal income tax is calculated based on the answers provided on the W-4 and year to date income, which is then referenced to the tax tables in IRS Publication 15-T. For 2024, rates are 0%, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, or 37%.
2024 Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
---|---|---|---|
10% | $0 to $11,600 | $0 to $23,200 | $0 to $16,550 |
12% | $11,601 to $47,150 | $23,201 to $94,300 | $16,551 to $63,100 |
22% | $47,151 to $100,525 | $94,301 to $201,050 | $63,101 to $100,500 |
24% | $100,526 to $191,950 | $201,051 to $383,900 | $100,501 to $191,950 |
32% | $191,951 to $243,725 | $383,901 to $487,450 | $191,951 to $243,700 |
35% | $243,726 to $609,350 | $487,451 to $731,200 | $243,701 to $609,350 |
37% | $609,351 or more | $731,201 or more | $609,351 or more |
What’s the W-4 form, and why is important?
You filled out a W-4 form when you were hired. The W4 form determines the amount of federal income tax withheld from your paycheck. Completing it accurately ensures proper withholding. States have their own state withholding forms too.
What is FICA on my paycheck?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) includes 2 taxes: Social Security and Medicare. Both Social Security and Medicare taxes are deducted from each paycheck to fund these important government programs.
How much are Social Security and Medicare taxes?
Social Security tax is 6.2% on $147,000 of earned income. The maximum Social Security tax for employees is $9,114.
Medicare tax is 1.45%. There is a 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax for employees on wages earned after $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly, or $125,000 for married filing separately). This means when an employee’s income reaches that threshold in a calendar year, the employer should withhold 2.35% total for Medicare. Learn more about Social Security and Medicare taxes.
What’s the difference between a deduction and withholding?
In addition to withholding federal and state taxes, part of your gross income might also have to contribute to deductions. These are known as “pre-tax deductions” and include contributions to retirement accounts and some health care costs. For example, when you look at your paycheck you might see an amount deducted for your company’s health insurance plan and for your 401k plan. Pre-tax deductions result in lower take-home, but also means less of your income is subject to tax. Some deductions are “post-tax”, like Roth 401(k), and are deducted after being taxed.
In our calculators, you can add deductions under “Benefits and Deductions” and select if it’s a fixed amount, a percentage of the gross-pay, or a percentage of the net pay. For hourly calculators, you can also select a fixed amount per hour. For pre-tax deductions, check the Exempt checkboxes, meaning the deduction will be taxed.
What was updated in the Federal W4 in 2020?
In 2020, the IRS updated the Federal W4 form that eliminated withholding allowances. The redesigned Form W4 makes it easier for your withholding to match your tax liability. Here’s how to answer the new questions:
- Step 2: check the box if you have more than one job or you and your spouse both have jobs. This will increase withholding.
- Step 3: enter an amount for dependents.The old W4 used to ask for the number of dependents. The new W4 asks for a dollar amount. Here’s how to calculate it: If your total income will be $200k or less ($400k if married) multiply the number of children under 17 by $2,000 and other dependents by $500. Add up the total.
- Step 4a: extra income from outside of your job, such as dividends or interest, that usually don't have withholding taken out of them. By entering it here you will withhold for this extra income so you don't owe tax later when filing your tax return.
- Step 4b: any additional withholding you want taken out. Any other estimated tax to withhold can be entered here. The more is withheld, the bigger your refund may be and you’ll avoid owing penalties.
If your W4 on file is in the old format (2019 or older), toggle "Use new Form W-4" to change the questions back to the previous form. Employees are currently not required to update it. However if you do need to update it for any reason, you must now use the new Form W-4.
Are some deductions not taxed by federal income tax?
Yes, some examples of pre-tax deductions include 401(k), health insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSA). To calculate pre-tax deductions, check the Exempt checkboxes, meaning the deduction will be taxed.
What are pre-tax and post-tax deductions?
Pre-tax deductions are deducted before federal/state withholding taxes are imposed. Post-tax deductions are deducted after being taxed. An example of a post-tax deduction is a Roth 401(k).
What is Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)?
FUTA is a payroll tax only paid by employers, not employees. The current FUTA rate is 6% with a wage limit of $7,000 for each employee per year. There’s a Tentative Credit of 5.4%, so most employers pay 0.6%. Find more info about employer taxes in our handy Payroll Resources. For a comprehensive guide check out What is FUTA?
How can I reduce my taxes?
Explore deductions and credits available, such as contributions to retirement accounts, to potentially lower your taxable income.
State Hourly Employee Calculators
Select your state from the list below to see its hourly employee calculator.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington DC
- Puerto Rico
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- US Virgin Islands
The calculators on this website are provided by Symmetry Software and are designed to provide general guidance and estimates. These calculators should not be relied upon for accuracy, such as to calculate exact taxes, payroll or other financial data. Neither these calculators nor the providers and affiliates thereof are providing tax or legal advice. You should refer to a professional adviser or accountant regarding any specific requirements or concerns.
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