Tax Withholding Calculator

Calculate federal tax withholding per paycheck. Estimate your annual refund or amount owed. See how W-4 changes affect your take-home pay.

Filing Status

Pay Frequency

Gross Pay Per Period ($)

Pre-Tax Deductions ($)

401(k), HSA, etc. per pay period

Additional Withholding ($)

Extra amount per paycheck (W-4 Line 4c)

Dependents Credit ($/year)

W-4 Step 3: $2,000/child under 17, $500/other

Enter your filing status, pay frequency, and gross pay to estimate your federal tax withholding, FICA taxes, and take-home pay per paycheck.

Disclaimer

This calculator uses simplified 2024 federal tax brackets and standard deductions. It does not account for state/local taxes, tax credits, itemized deductions, self-employment tax, or other adjustments that may affect your actual tax liability.

This is not tax advice. Tax situations are complex and individual. Consult a qualified tax professional or CPA for personalized guidance. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator at irs.gov for official calculations.

Social Security wage base: $168,600 (2024). Additional Medicare tax of 0.9% applies above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).

How to Use Tax Withholding Calculator

1Select your filing status and pay frequency
2Enter your gross pay per period
3Add any additional withholding
4Review per-paycheck and annual estimates

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I adjust my W-4 for a bigger refund?▾

To get a larger refund, increase your additional withholding on line 4(c) of Form W-4. However, a large refund means you've been giving the government an interest-free loan.

What is the ideal tax withholding?▾

Ideally, your withholding should be close to your actual tax liability — resulting in a small refund or small amount owed. This keeps more money in your pocket throughout the year.

How often should I update my W-4?▾

Update your W-4 after major life changes: marriage, divorce, new child, buying a home, significant income change, or if your last refund was too large or you owed too much.

About Tax Withholding Calculator

Calculate federal tax withholding per paycheck. Estimate your annual refund or amount owed. See how W-4 changes affect your take-home pay.

NexTool's Tax Withholding Calculator is completely free to use with no sign-up required. Your data is processed directly in your browser and never sent to our servers, ensuring complete privacy and instant results.