Your offer letter shows gross pay. Your bank account sees take-home pay. Enter your salary or hourly rate, pick the state you work in, and see what lands in each paycheck after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, state and local tax, and your 401(k).
Free playbook · PDF
Got your number? Walk into the interview ready too.
I hear the same questions in Korean company interviews every week. The free Korean Company Interview Playbook puts them, and the intent behind them, in one place.
- The questions Korean hiring managers ask most, with model answers
- How to talk about salary, overtime and relocation
- Thank-you and follow-up email templates
Free PDF, sent right away. Unsubscribe anytime.
What comes out of your paycheck
- Federal income tax. Charged in brackets after the 2026 standard deduction: $16,100 if single, $32,200 if married filing jointly.
- Social Security. 6.2% of wages, up to $184,500 of pay in 2026.
- Medicare. 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers).
- State and local income tax. Zero in states like Texas and Tennessee, a flat rate in states like Georgia and Michigan, and extra city or county tax in parts of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.
- Pre-tax deductions. 401(k) contributions lower your income tax but not Social Security or Medicare. Health premiums paid through payroll usually lower both.
2026 federal tax brackets
| Rate | Single (taxable income) | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Up to $12,400 | Up to $24,800 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 | $24,801 – $100,800 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 | $100,801 – $211,400 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 | $211,401 – $403,550 |
| 32% | $201,776 – $256,225 | $403,551 – $512,450 |
| 35% | $256,226 – $640,600 | $512,451 – $768,700 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 |
State income tax where Korean companies hire
| State | 2026 income tax on wages |
|---|---|
| Texas, Tennessee | None |
| Georgia | 4.99% flat (cut from 5.19%) |
| Michigan | 4.25% flat, plus city tax in some cities |
| Indiana | 2.95% flat, plus county tax |
| Ohio | 2.75% flat, plus city tax in most cities |
| Kentucky | 3.5% flat, plus local occupational tax in many areas |
| Arizona | 2.5% flat |
| North Carolina | 3.99% flat |
| Alabama, South Carolina, California, New York, New Jersey, Virginia | Graduated rates. Use “Other state” and enter your rate. |
The calculator applies the flat rate to your wages after pre-tax deductions. Most states also give a standard deduction or personal exemption, so your real state tax is usually a little lower than the estimate.
What I tell candidates moving between states
The same offer can pay very differently depending on the site. A $75,000 salary with a 5% 401(k) leaves a single filer about $58,700 a year in Texas and about $55,100 in Georgia, roughly $3,500 apart. When a company has plants in more than one state, run both before you decide. If the higher-tax site pays more, check whether the difference covers the tax. For the full offer picture, use the offer comparison calculator.
Ways to keep more of your paycheck
- Get the full 401(k) match. It is free money, and your contribution lowers your income tax.
- Check your W-4. A new W-4 after a move, marriage or second job keeps withholding close to what you actually owe.
- Know the overtime deduction. Qualified overtime pay can be deducted up to $12,500 a year. See the overtime calculator.
FAQ
How much is $75,000 after taxes?
For a single filer putting 5% into a 401(k), about $58,700 a year in Texas ($2,256 per biweekly check) and about $55,100 in Georgia ($2,120 per check). The 401(k) money is still yours, just saved instead of paid out.
Does a 401(k) lower Social Security and Medicare tax?
No. A traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax and most state income tax, but Social Security and Medicare are still charged on that money.
Why is a bonus check taxed so heavily?
Bonuses are often withheld at a flat 22% federal rate as supplemental wages. That is withholding, not your final tax. If too much was held back, you get it back when you file.