See exactly what lands in your bank after income tax, National Insurance, Social Security and pension contributions.
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Part of a topic cluster
This page is part of our Complete Tax Guide 2026 — a complete guide covering every aspect of this topic.
Monthly take-home
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Annual take-home
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Income tax
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NI / Social Security
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Pension / 401k
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Effective tax rate
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How take-home pay is calculated
The calculator deducts income tax, social contributions (FICA/NI), and pension contributions from gross salary to arrive at your true net pay.
Net pay = Gross salary − Income tax − Social contributions − Pension contribution US: Federal income tax is progressive (10%–37%) + FICA 7.65% + estimated 5% state. UK: Income tax (20%/40%/45%) + NI (8% on £12,570–£50,270, then 2%).
Worked example with real numbers
US employee | Gross salary: $75,000 | Pension contribution: 5% | Filing status: Single
Deduction
Calculation
Amount
Pension (pre-tax)
$75,000 × 5%
−$3,750
Taxable income
$75,000 − $3,750 − $16,100 std
$55,150
Federal income tax
Progressive brackets
−$7,570
FICA (SS + Medicare)
$75,000 × 7.65%
−$5,738
Estimated state tax
$75,000 × 5%
−$3,750
Annual take-home
—
$54,192
Monthly take-home
÷ 12
$4,516
Common mistakes to avoid
Planning budgets from gross salary. On a $75,000 salary, you actually receive about $54,000 — 28% less. Using gross income to calculate rent affordability or loan payments is the #1 household budgeting error.
Forgetting pension contributions reduce taxable income. A 5% pre-tax pension contribution on a $75,000 salary saves roughly $1,100 in federal income tax annually, not just the $3,750 contribution itself.
Ignoring pay period differences. Biweekly pay (26 periods) means two months per year have three paychecks. Annual budgets should be based on monthly averages, not any single pay period.
Assuming state tax is the same everywhere. Florida and Texas have no state income tax; California charges up to 13.3%. The calculator uses a 5% estimate — adjust manually for accuracy in your state.
Not factoring in benefits deductions. Health insurance premiums, FSA/HSA contributions, and life insurance deducted pre-tax reduce your taxable income further. Add these to the pension field for a more accurate estimate.
Related tools and reading
Once you know your take-home, use the Budget Planner to allocate it across needs, wants, and savings. The Tax Estimator shows the full breakdown of your tax bill. For state-specific payroll deductions, try the state paycheck calculators for Washington, Colorado, South Carolina, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and California. The Salary Negotiator helps you benchmark whether your gross is competitive. Read 7 Legal Ways to Pay Less Tax in 2026 to reduce your deductions and increase take-home.
Frequently asked questions
What is my take-home on $75,000 in the US?
On $75,000 gross (single filer, 2026): approximately $53,000-56,000 after federal tax, FICA and estimated state tax — around $4,400-4,700/month.
How is UK take-home calculated?
Gross minus income tax (above £12,570 personal allowance) minus National Insurance (12% on £12,570-£50,270, 2% above). A £50,000 salary nets approximately £37,200.