What percentage does the government take from your paycheck

Payday! Getting your paycheck is exciting, but it can also be a bit disappointing once you realize how much money you’re actually taking home. Why aren’t you making as much as you expected? Your paycheck stub has all the answers.

Though not all paychecks are alike, there are elements that all employers must include. Let’s break it down:

What percentage does the government take from your paycheck

Gross Pay vs. Net Pay

Let’s say you are making $35,000 a year and you are paid every two weeks — that means you should be taking home $1,346.15 each pay period. But unfortunately, this isn’t the case. $1,346.15 is your gross pay, or the total amount you’ve earned before everything is taken out of your check. Then you are left with your net pay, which is the total amount of money you get to take home.

What accounts for the difference between your gross pay and net pay? A ton of deductions and withholdings.

Federal Income Taxes

When you were first hired, you filled out a W-4 form and claimed the number of tax exemptions you have. This amount tells the federal government how much money to take out of each paycheck  to cover your taxes. The more allowances you take the less federal income tax the government will take out of your paycheck.

When it comes time to filing your taxes at the end of each year, the amount already taken out will go towards the total you owe. If too much money is withheld from your paycheck, you receive a refund after you file your tax return. If you haven’t paid enough, you could end up owing at the end of the year.

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State Income Taxes

Many states require a state tax, and the rate varies by state. According to Bankrate, there is no state income tax in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. And Tennessee and New Hampshire only tax dividends and income from investments.

Same as federal taxes, your state income tax will get deducted from your paycheck to cover taxes you may owe at the end of the year.

Social Security & Medicare

The federal government also deducts money as your contribution to its Social Security and Medicare programs. You’ll be required to give a percentage of your income, currently 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare, to help fund these programs. Your employer must also chip in 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare.

The Social Security and Medicare programs are in place to help with your income and insurance needs once you reach retirement age.

Insurance & Retirement

If you’re on your employer’s insurance plan, this deduction may come out of your paycheck to cover your medical, dental and life insurance premiums.

If you sign up for a retirement savings plan,  you select a percentage of your salary that you’d like taken out of each pay check to go into a 401(k) or other retirement savings option.  If you’re lucky, many employers will match your percentage as an added benefit.

Now you know where all that hard-earned money is going. Take a look each pay period and make sure there are no errors.

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Use this tool to estimate the federal income tax you want your employer to withhold from your paycheck. This is tax withholding.

See how your withholding affects your refund, take-home pay or tax due.
 

How It Works

Use this tool to:

  • Estimate your federal income tax withholding
  • See how your refund, take-home pay or tax due are affected by withholding amount
  • Choose an estimated withholding amount that works for you

Results are as accurate as the information you enter.

What You Need

Have this ready:

  • Paystubs for all jobs (spouse too)
  • Other income info (side jobs, self-employment, investments, etc.)
  • Most recent tax return

Your information isn't saved. Learn more about Security.

Don't use this tool if:

  • You have a pension but not a job. Estimate your tax withholding with the new Form W-4P.
  • You have nonresident alien status. Use Notice 1392, Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens.
  • Your tax situation is complex. This includes alternative minimum tax, long-term capital gains or qualified dividends. See Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax. 

Estimator Frequently Asked Questions


More on Tax Withholding

  • When to Check Your Tax Withholding
  • Why Check Your Tax Withholding
  • About Tax Withholding
  • Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

W-4 Forms

  • 2020 Form W-4 Questions and Answers
  • Form W-4 Employee Withholding Certificate
  • Form W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments
  • Notice 1392, Supplement Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident AliensPDF


After You Use the Estimator

Use your estimate to change your tax withholding amount on Form W-4. Or keep the same amount.

To change your tax withholding amount:

  • Enter your new tax withholding amount on Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate
  • Ask your employer if they use an automated system to submit Form W-4
  • Submit or give Form W-4 to your employer

To keep your same tax withholding amount:

  • You don't need to do anything at this time.
  • Check your withholding again when needed and each year with the Estimator. This helps you make sure the amount withheld works for your circumstance.
     

When to Check Your Withholding

Check your tax withholding every year, especially:

When you have a major life change

  • New job or other paid work
  • Major income change
  • Marriage
  • Child birth or adoption
  • Home purchase

If you changed your tax withholding mid-year

  • Check your tax withholding at year-end, and adjust as needed with a new W-4

If you have more questions about your withholding, ask your employer or tax advisor.

Why Check Your Withholding

There are several reasons to check your withholding:

  • It can protect against having too little tax withheld and facing an unexpected tax bill or penalty at tax time next year.
  • It can let you adjust your tax withheld up front, so you receive a bigger paycheck and smaller refund at tax time.

Security

The Tax Withholding Estimator doesn't ask for personal information such as your name, social security number, address or bank account numbers.

We don't save or record the information you enter in the estimator.

For details on how to protect yourself from scams, see Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.
 

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Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 22-Sep-2022

How much money does the government take from your paycheck?

6.2% of each of your paychecks is withheld for Social Security taxes and your employer contributes a further 6.2%. However, the 6.2% that you pay only applies to income up to the Social Security tax cap, which for 2022 is $147,000 (up from $142,800 in 2021).

What percentage of my paycheck is withheld for federal tax 2022?

The following are aspects of federal income tax withholding that are unchanged in 2022: No withholding allowances on 2020 and later Forms W-4. Supplemental tax rate: 22% Backup withholding rate: 24%