What FICA taxes does this calculator cover?

It covers Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $168,600 in 2024) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages over $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married filers). Both employee and employer portions are shown.

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?

The Additional Medicare Tax is a 0.9% surtax on wages exceeding $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married). It is withheld only from the employee; the employer does not match this portion.

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

Name: Payroll Tax Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

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

Federal Withholding Allowances (W-4 Step 3 credits, enter 0 if unsure)

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

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

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 the number of federal allowances or dependents claimed.
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 allowances affect withholding.

Frequently Asked Questions

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