US Salary & Tax
Understand your US paycheck and plan for retirement. Federal income tax uses progressive brackets with a standard deduction, FICA takes Social Security and Medicare tax, and most states add their own income tax on top. Put your numbers in to see the real picture, then plan your 401(k) and IRA contributions.
Start with a calculator
Put your own numbers in first — the guides below explain what the results mean and what to do next.
US Salary Calculator 2026
Estimate federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare) and take-home pay using 2026 brackets and the standard deduction.
Open calculatorUS Retirement Calculator
Project retirement income from Social Security, 401(k) and IRA balances, and see how much you need to save to hit your target.
Open calculatorChoose the right guide
Several pages in this area cover related questions. Use this to pick the one that matches what you are actually trying to do.
- “What will I actually take home this year?”
- Use the US salary calculator for federal tax and FICA. US Salary Calculator 2026
- “Will I have enough to retire?”
- Use the US retirement calculator to project Social Security and account balances. US Retirement Calculator
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Every guide in this hub is written and maintained by Shaun da Silva, Finance Consultant. SmartMoneyTools provides educational estimates only — not financial advice. Read our financial disclaimer and editorial policy.