What do you actually take home?
Pick a country, type your income, watch the brackets fill up. Deductions, payroll tax, refund estimate and every paycheck — one page, computed locally.
How your taxable income climbs the brackets
| Rate | Bracket range | Taxed at this rate | Tax |
|---|
Marginal vs effective
Marginal rate is what your next dollar earns in tax — the top bracket you touch. It's the number that matters for decisions: a raise, a bonus, extra freelance work.
Effective rate is total tax ÷ gross income. Because lower brackets fill first, it's always below your marginal rate — often far below.
A raise never pushes existing dollars into a higher bracket. Only the income above each threshold pays the higher rate — that's what the ladder shows.
Simplified estimate — credits, itemized deductions and edge rules are not modeled. Not tax advice; verify with your tax authority or a professional.
The five ideas that decide your tax bill
Bracket ladders
Every progressive system taxes your income in slices. The first slice pays the lowest rate, the next slice a bit more. Crossing into a higher bracket only affects the dollars above the line — never the ones below.
Deductions shrink the base
Standard deductions and personal allowances come off before brackets apply. Pre-tax contributions (401(k), HSA, pension) do the same — a dollar shelved pre-tax can be a 22–50¢ tax saving today.
Payroll is a second bill
Income tax isn't the whole story. FICA, National Insurance, CPP/EI or the Medicare levy stack on top — often 8–15% of gross — and some have earnings caps that change the math at high incomes.
Withholding ≠ tax
What your employer withholds is a deposit, not the bill. File your return and the difference comes back as a refund — or a balance due. Big refunds usually mean you lent the government money interest-free.
Filing status moves the lines
Married-joint brackets are roughly double single ones; head-of-household sits between. Same income, different bracket lines — that's why two earners should compare filing strategies.
Paycheck frequency is optics
Bi-weekly pay feels bigger than semi-monthly (26 vs 24 checks) but each check is smaller. Same annual net — budget on the annual number, not the per-check one.
One page, your full paycheck picture
This calculator sits in the gap between a generic tax table and a paid accountant. It's built for anyone who wants to see exactly where their gross annual income goes — federal brackets, state withholding, FICA, retirement contributions, and HSA deductions — before the money lands in their account. Whether you are comparing job offers, adjusting your 401(k) contributions, or figuring out if your current withholding will cover the bill, you get a line-by-line breakdown without signing up or downloading a spreadsheet.
From gross income to net paycheck
- Set your L1 Country and L2 Tax year to lock in the correct bracket structure.
- Choose your L3 Filing status and L4 State or L4 Province for local tax rules.
- Enter your L5 Gross annual income along with L7 401(k) and L8 HSA contributions.
- Add L11 Tax already withheld to see where your refund or balance lands.
- Click [btn] Full Return for the complete breakdown or [btn] Paycheck for periodic view.
Frequently asked questions
How is income tax calculated?
Subtract deductions and allowances from gross income to get taxable income, then apply each tax bracket to the slice of income that falls inside it, and add the slices together. Payroll taxes (FICA, NI, CPP/EI, Medicare levy) stack on top.
What's the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate on your next dollar earned — the top bracket your income reaches. Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income, always lower because your earlier dollars filled cheaper brackets first.
Will a raise push me into a higher bracket and cost me money?
No. Only the dollars above the bracket threshold pay the higher rate. A raise always increases take-home pay — though bonuses and irregular income can be withheld at a higher rate temporarily, which evens out at filing time.
How do pre-tax deductions change my paycheck?
Traditional 401(k), HSA and similar contributions come out before income tax is computed, so each dollar contributed saves income tax at your marginal rate. Some (like HSA) also reduce payroll taxes; traditional 401(k) does not reduce FICA.
Why is my refund so big — or so small?
A refund is the gap between what was withheld through the year and what you actually owed. Big refund = you over-withheld all year. Owing = your withholding (often from a second job or freelance income) didn't keep up.
Which countries does this calculator cover?
United States (federal + selected states, 2024–2025), United Kingdom (2024–25 / 2025–26), Canada (federal + four provinces), Australia (incl. LITO offset) and Germany (with spouse splitting). Each uses a simplified model — check the Full Return tab for what's included.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Every calculation runs in your browser — income, deductions and withholding never leave your machine. There are no accounts, no uploads, no tracking of what you type.