What FICA taxes does this calculator cover?

It covers Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $168,600 in 2024), Medicare (1.45% on all wages), and the 0.9% Additional Medicare surtax for high earners.

Are state taxes included?

No. This tool covers federal taxes only — federal income tax withholding plus FICA. State income tax rates vary widely by state and are not included. Add your state's withholding separately.

How accurate is the federal income tax estimate?

The estimate uses the 2024 IRS Publication 15-T percentage method tables and annualizes wages to determine the marginal bracket, then de-annualizes the result. It is a close approximation — actual withholding can differ slightly depending on Form W-4 elections and employer payroll software rounding.

What is the Additional Medicare Tax?

Employers withhold the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax after wages they pay an employee exceed $200,000 in the calendar year, regardless of filing status. The employee's final tax threshold depends on filing status and is reconciled on the tax return; employers do not match this tax.

Does this include unemployment taxes (FUTA/SUTA)?

No. FUTA (Federal Unemployment Tax Act) and SUTA (state unemployment) are not included because they depend on each employer's state, industry, and experience rating. FUTA is typically 0.6% on the first $7,000 of wages after state credits.

Payroll Tax Calculator

Estimate US payroll taxes — federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare — for both employee and employer based on gross wages.

Employee Pay Info

Gross Wages per Pay Period ($)

Pay Frequency

Filing Status

Annual W-4 Step 3 Credits ($) (enter 0 if none)

Year-to-Date Wages So Far ($) (affects SS wage base & Medicare surtax)

Enter gross wages and click Calculate to see your payroll tax breakdown.

Summary

This payroll tax calculator estimates the federal taxes withheld from an employee's paycheck and the matching taxes owed by the employer. It covers federal income tax withholding (2024 standard rates), Social Security (6.2% each), and Medicare (1.45% each, plus the 0.9% Additional Medicare surtax for high earners). Enter gross wages, pay frequency, and filing status to get a full breakdown.

How it works

Enter the employee's gross wages for the pay period.
Select the pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
Choose the filing status (single or married filing jointly).
Enter any annual tax credits from Step 3 of Form W-4.
The calculator applies 2024 IRS withholding tables and FICA rates to show employee deductions and employer matching costs.

Use cases

Estimating take-home pay before accepting a job offer.
Verifying paycheck deductions match expected withholding.
Helping small business owners estimate total employment cost per worker.
Comparing the tax impact of different pay frequencies.
Planning quarterly estimated taxes for payroll compliance.
Understanding how filing status and Form W-4 credits affect withholding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

Payroll Tax Calculator

Employee Pay Info

Employee Deductions

Employer Tax Cost

Effective Rates (this period)

Summary

How it works

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Payroll Tax Calculator

Use the Payroll Tax Calculator

Employee Pay Info

Employee Deductions

Employer Tax Cost

Effective Rates (this period)

Summary

How it works

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions