IQ

Private paycheck planning

Know where every paycheck dollar goes.

Estimate take-home pay, trace deductions, and compare your result with a real paystub—privately.

Paycheck workspace

See the money move

Updated instantly

State

California

Estimated take-home

$1,987.16

Take-home
$1,987.16
Federal
$216.15
State
$105.44
Social Security
$155.00
Medicare
$36.25

Uses 2026 federal, FICA, and state planning assumptions.

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  • Private by designNo upload or account required.
  • Transparent methodSee assumptions and every deduction.
Learn how the calculations work

Choose your next question

Move from an estimate to an answer.

Each tool opens with the numbers you need—not a wall of filler. Results update as you type, with the calculation and limitations beside them.

Focused calculators

One workspace for every kind of pay

Start with the question you actually have. Every calculator explains what it includes and gives you a useful next step.

State paycheck calculators

Choose a state for tax context and assumptions.

Planning guides

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Why your paycheck may differ+

Payroll systems include elections and local taxes this estimate may not fully model, including city or county withholding and employer-specific benefit rules.

Use this as a planning tool, then compare against your paystub and payroll portal settings.

Methodology and transparency+

The paycheck estimate uses the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T annualized withholding method, Form W-4 adjustments, FICA wage-base rules, and structured state tax configurations. Annual tax-liability tools use separate income-tax brackets because liability and payroll withholding are different calculations.

See the disclaimer page for details on scope and limitations.

Trust-first paycheck planning

PayStubIQ keeps formulas transparent and keeps the calculator-first experience ahead of long-form content so visitors can estimate quickly.

Every state route remains available for state-aware assumptions and notes, with concise disclosures built in.