Payroll Calculators & Tax Tools · Updated March 2026
Payroll Calculators and Payroll Tax Tools (2026)
IRS-verified payroll tools for employees and employers. Estimate take-home pay, understand FICA withholding, and review state payroll tax rules. No account required.
What You'll Find Here
This section covers payroll calculators, state paycheck resources, and payroll tax guides for employees, employers, and self-employed workers. Use these tools to estimate take-home pay, understand FICA withholding, compare payroll-related calculations, and navigate state-specific payroll tax rules. All tools use 2026 IRS rates and run in your browser.
Key Takeaways
- Payroll taxes include Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and federal income tax withholding. All are deducted from gross wages each pay period.
- Employers match the Social Security and Medicare contributions. The combined FICA rate is 15.3% of covered wages split equally between employer and employee.
- Federal income tax withholding is based on Form W-4 elections and the IRS Publication 15-T withholding tables.
- State payroll tax rules vary. Some states have no income tax. Others use flat or graduated withholding rates.
- Payroll tax deposit schedules and filing deadlines are set by the IRS. Most employers file Form 941 quarterly.
Core Payroll Calculators
Browser-based payroll calculators using 2025 IRS rates. No account required.
Flagship · Hourly + Salary
Paycheck Calculator
The flagship paycheck calculator. Hourly and salaried employees in a single form. Federal withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and optional state tax. Uses 2025 IRS Publication 15-T rates.
Calculate take-home pay →Hourly Workers · Weekly + Biweekly
Hourly Paycheck Calculator
Built for hourly workers who think in hours-per-week and weekly or biweekly pay cycles. For salaried workers, use the main Paycheck Calculator above.
Calculate take-home pay →Benefits Stack · 401(k) HSA FSA
Take-Home Pay Calculator
The only calculator that models your full pre-tax benefits stack: 401(k), HSA, FSA, health insurance, and commuter benefits. Captures every payroll deduction, not just federal tax.
Calculate actual take-home pay →Filing Time · Box 1 + Box 2
W-2 Box 1 Tax Liability Estimator
Filing-time estimator. Enter Box 1 wages and Box 2 withholding to see whether you expect a refund or balance due. Uses 2025 brackets and standard deduction.
Estimate W-2 tax liability →For Employers · FICA + FUTA + SUTA
Employer Payroll Tax Cost Calculator
Built for employers and small business owners. Estimates employer FICA match, FUTA, and SUTA per employee plus total cost-to-hire. Employees: use the Paycheck Calculator above.
Calculate employer cost →Payroll · Hourly Conversion
Hourly to Salary Calculator
Convert an hourly wage to annual salary and see gross pay across all pay frequencies. Includes estimated net take-home after FICA and federal income tax. Uses 2025 IRS rates.
Convert hourly to salary →Payroll · Salary Conversion
Salary to Hourly Calculator
Convert an annual salary to an equivalent hourly rate and see gross pay across all pay frequencies. Includes estimated net take-home after FICA and federal income tax. Uses 2025 IRS rates.
Convert salary to hourly →State Payroll Calculators and Guides
State withholding and payroll rules vary. Each state below has a paycheck calculator for running your own numbers and a payroll tax guide covering state withholding rates, supplemental wage rules, and filing requirements. Fifteen states are live, with more added as the payroll build continues.
Live
California
State income tax withholding, SDI, and payroll tax rules for California employers and employees.
Live
Texas
No state income tax. Covers employer payroll obligations, FUTA credit, and Texas workforce reporting.
Live
Florida
No state income tax. Covers Florida reemployment tax, Form RT-6, and employer payroll requirements.
Live
New York
State income tax withholding, NYC and Yonkers local taxes, Paid Family Leave, and employer UI rules.
Live
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% state income tax withholding, local Earned Income Tax (Act 32), the Philadelphia Wage Tax, and employer payroll requirements.
Live
Illinois
Flat 4.95% state income tax withholding after IL-W-4 allowances, no local wage tax, no employee unemployment tax, and employer SUI rules.
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Ohio
State income tax withholding percentage method, city income taxes, school district taxes, and employer payroll rules for Ohio.
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Georgia
Flat 5.09% state income tax after the Georgia standard deduction and $4,000 dependent allowances, no local wage tax, no employee unemployment, and employer SUI rules.
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North Carolina
Flat 3.99% income tax withheld at 4.09% after the NC standard deduction and $2,500 allowances, no local wage tax, no employee unemployment, and employer SUI rules.
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Michigan
Flat 4.25% income tax after $5,900 exemptions with no standard deduction, city income taxes like Detroit 2.4%, no employee unemployment, and employer UIA rules.
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New Jersey
Graduated 1.4% to 10.75% income tax withheld through the NJ-WT rate tables, plus the employee-paid unemployment (UI/WF/SWF), disability (TDI), and family leave (FLI) contributions. No local wage tax.
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Virginia
Graduated 2% to 5.75% income tax withheld through the Form VA-4 formula after the $8,750 standard deduction, no local wage tax, and no employee disability, family leave, or unemployment contributions.
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Washington
No state income tax, but two employee-paid premiums: Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) and the WA Cares Fund long-term-care premium at 0.58% with no wage cap. Unemployment is employer-funded and there is no local wage tax.
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Arizona
Flat 2.5% income tax withheld at the Form A-4 percentage you elect (default 2.0%), so the default can under-withhold higher earners. No local wage tax and no employee disability, family leave, or unemployment contributions.
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Massachusetts
Flat 5.0% income tax through the Circular M method, which subtracts up to $2,000 of FICA and the Form M-4 exemption before the 5% applies, plus a 4% surtax over $1,107,750 and the employee-paid Paid Family & Medical Leave contribution. No local wage tax.
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Tennessee
No state income tax and no local wage tax, so only federal withholding and FICA come out of a paycheck. The Hall tax on interest and dividends was repealed in 2021, there are no employee premiums, and unemployment is employer-funded on the first $7,000 of wages.
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Indiana
Flat 2.95% state income tax (3.00% for 2025) after WH-4 exemptions, plus a county income tax in all 92 counties charged on the same base, so a 401(k) deferral cuts both lines. No employee unemployment and no separate city wage tax.
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Maryland
Graduated 4.75% to 6.50% state income tax (HB 352) after the $3,400 standard deduction and MW507 exemptions, plus a county income tax in all 24 jurisdictions on the same base, so a 401(k) deferral cuts both lines. No employee unemployment; a special 2.25% rate applies to nonresidents.
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Missouri
Graduated 0% to 4.70% state income tax after the state standard deduction set by MO W-4 status, plus a 1% Kansas City or St. Louis earnings tax on gross wages. A 401(k) deferral cuts the state tax but not the city earnings tax. No employee unemployment.
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Wisconsin
Graduated 3.54% to 7.65% state income tax withheld with the Publication W-166 alternate method, whose sliding standard deduction ($6,702 single / $9,461 married) phases out to $0 near $73,000, so higher earners get no offset. Form WT-4, no local wage tax, reciprocity with Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan, and no employee unemployment.
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Colorado
Flat 4.40% state income tax withheld with the DR 1098 worksheet, whose annual withholding allowance defaults to just $5,000 (or $10,000 married) unless you file the optional DR 0004, so most workers over-withhold. Plus the FAMLI paid-leave employee premium (0.44% in 2026), flat-dollar local Occupational Privilege Taxes in Denver and a few cities, no reciprocity, and no employee unemployment.
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Minnesota
Graduated 5.35% to 9.85% state income tax withheld with the Department of Revenue computer formula, which subtracts a flat $5,300 (2026) for each Form W-4MN allowance before applying the single or married chart. One of the highest top rates in the country, no local wage tax, reciprocity with Michigan and North Dakota, and the new Minnesota Paid Leave employee premium (up to 0.44%) beginning January 1, 2026.
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South Carolina
Graduated 0% / 3% / 6% state income tax withheld with the SCDOR Form WH-1603F formula, which subtracts $5,000 (2026) for each SC W-4 allowance and a 10% standard deduction (capped at $7,500) before applying the schedule. Claiming zero allowances turns off both deductions and taxes the full wage. No local wage tax and no reciprocity with any state.
Payroll Guides
These guides explain federal payroll tax rules, withholding methods, and employer compliance obligations. Eight payroll guides are live now. Additional guides are in development as part of the payroll vertical build.
Payroll Guide · 2025
How to Read a Pay Stub
Understand every section of your pay stub: gross pay, FICA deductions, federal income tax withholding, pre-tax deductions, and net pay. Includes a sample stub breakdown and 2025 IRS rates.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
How Payroll Taxes Work
Which taxes come out of every paycheck, what employers pay separately, and why two workers with the same salary can take home different amounts. Covers Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, and federal income tax withholding with 2025 IRS rates.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
What Is FICA Tax?
FICA tax explained: the Social Security and Medicare components, 2025 rates, the Social Security wage base, employer matching rules, and how FICA differs from federal income tax withholding.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
Employer Payroll Tax Obligations
What every employer must pay: FICA matching rates, FUTA, state unemployment tax, deposit schedules, Form 941 filing, and the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. Based on IRS Publication 15.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
Understanding Payroll Deductions
Pre-tax vs post-tax deductions explained: which reduce income tax, which reduce FICA, and how 401(k), health insurance, FSA, and HSA contributions affect your net pay. Includes 2025 limits.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
Social Security Tax Explained
What OASDI means on your paycheck, how the 6.2% rate is applied, when withholding stops at the $176,100 wage base, the employer match, and how self-employed workers pay both halves under SECA.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
Medicare Tax Explained
What HI means on your paycheck, how the 1.45% rate applies with no wage base cap, when the Additional Medicare Tax at 0.9% applies, how employer withholding works, and Form 8959 at filing.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
Payroll Tax Deadlines
Federal payroll tax deposit schedules, Form 941 quarterly due dates, Form 940 annual filing requirements, and W-2 and W-3 year-end deadlines. Based on IRS Publication 15.
Read guide →Payroll Guide · 2025
W-4 Withholding Explained
How each of the five W-4 steps affects federal income tax withheld from your paycheck, when to update your W-4 after a life change, and how OBBBA deductions connect to withholding adjustments.
Read guide →Related Tax Tools and Guides
Payroll connects to broader federal tax topics. These tools and guides cover self-employment tax, 1099 income, and quarterly estimated tax obligations relevant to workers navigating both payroll and self-employment income.
Live · All Tools
Tax Calculators Hub
Browse all National Tax Tools calculators: 1099 tax, LLC vs S-Corp, underpayment penalty, and refund date estimator. Browser-based, IRS-verified for Tax Year 2026.
View all calculators →Live · 1099 Tax
1099 Tax Calculator
Estimate your full federal tax liability on 1099 self-employment income. Covers self-employment tax, income tax by bracket, and quarterly payment amounts for Tax Year 2026.
Open calculator →Live · All Guides
Tax Guides Hub
Browse all National Tax Tools guides: self-employment tax, IRS refund timelines, quarterly tax obligations, and more. IRS-cited and reviewed by Nausheen Shahid.
View all guides →Live · SE Tax
Self-Employment Tax Guide
A complete guide to calculating self-employment tax, the 92.35% net earnings rule, the SE deduction, and quarterly payment obligations for independent contractors and freelancers.
Read guide →No tools match your search. Try a different term or clear the filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Payroll or Withholding?
LMN Tax Inc handles payroll setup, quarterly tax planning, bookkeeping, and payroll tax compliance for small businesses and self-employed workers. Contact us through our contact page to get started.