About PaycheckLedger
PaycheckLedger is a free, browser-based paycheck calculator built to help people understand exactly where their money goes on every paycheck — federal and state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and common pre-tax deductions like a 401(k) or HSA — broken down line by line, the way a real pay stub is.
Why it exists
Most paycheck calculators show you a single final number without explaining how it got there. PaycheckLedger was built to do the opposite: show every step of the math, in plain language, so you can actually see how a raise, a change in filing status, a new state, or a bigger 401(k) contribution changes your take-home pay.
How the calculations work
The calculator uses published 2026 IRS federal tax brackets and standard deductions, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) rates and wage base limits, and state-by-state income tax rules covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Figures are recalculated instantly in your browser as you type — nothing is sent to a server. State tax figures are simplified estimates of each state's structure and are intended for planning purposes, not as a substitute for official payroll withholding tables.
Who runs this site
PaycheckLedger is an independent, individually operated project. It is not affiliated with the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or any state government or payroll provider.
Contact
Questions, feedback, or spotted an error in the calculations? Reach out any time — reports of real discrepancies are genuinely helpful and get looked at.
Email: idajet.bicaku@gmail.com