Federal Tax Withheld Calculator
US, 2026 tax year · figures follow that year's rules
Federal Tax Withholding Calculator works out Federal income tax withheld per period and Projected annual federal withholding from Gross pay for the period, Pay frequency and Filing status (Form W-4 step 1(c)). The default figures on this page give federal income tax withheld per period of 195.85 USD; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
4 steps
- Annualise: 2000 x 26 pay periods = 52000
- Plus step 4(a) 0, less step 4(b) 0; adjusted annual wage 52000
- 2026 Publication 15-T STANDARD withholding rate schedule, Single or Married Filing Separately (0% band up to $7,500): tentative annual withholding 5092
- Divide by 26 pay periods = 195.85 per paycheque
Tentative withholding by brackettable
| ratePercent | wageInBracket | withholding |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 12,400 | 1,240 |
| 12 | 32,100 | 3,852 |
Figures from US federal tax tables (IRS), 2026 rules, checked 31 August 2026. Its 6 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed · how reference data is kept current
Sources and references
6 sources
Keep this result
Save it, change one figure, then compare the two
The calculation stays free. Save this scenario, adjust one assumption, save that too, and put them side by side to see exactly what the change costs you. A free account keeps 5 scenarios and 2 comparisons; Personal makes both unlimited and adds exports and private links. Nothing is saved unless you press Save.
What the Federal Tax Withholding Calculator calculates
Estimates the federal income tax withheld from each paycheck using the IRS Publication 15-T percentage method, from your Form W-4 entries, pay frequency and gross pay.
How to use this Federal Tax Withholding Calculator
Enter Gross pay for the period, Pay frequency, Filing status (Form W-4 step 1(c)) and Tax year. Federal income tax withheld per period updates as you type. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Federal income tax withheld per period, Projected annual federal withholding and Adjusted annual wage amount (Worksheet 1A line 1h/1l).
The method follows IRS Publication 15-T, Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods, Worksheet 1A and the Annual Percentage Method tables, IRS Publication 15-T (2025), IRS Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, IRS Tax Withholding Estimator and IRS Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates.
What you can compare
Change one input at a time to see how it affects Federal income tax withheld per period, Projected annual federal withholding and Adjusted annual wage amount (Worksheet 1A line 1h/1l). The inputs you can vary are Gross pay for the period, Pay frequency, Filing status (Form W-4 step 1(c)), Tax year, Which Form W-4 is on file and Withholding allowances claimed.
Understanding Federal income tax withheld per period, Projected annual federal withholding and Adjusted annual wage amount (Worksheet 1A line 1h/1l)
An estimate of federal income tax withholding. Your employer's payroll system, state and local withholding, and any mid-year W-4 change will move the figure. It is not a substitute for the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator or your pay stub.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
See something wrong? Report a problem with this calculator
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need for the Federal Tax Withholding Calculator?
You need Gross pay for the period, Pay frequency, Filing status (Form W-4 step 1(c)), Tax year, Which Form W-4 is on file, Withholding allowances claimed, Step 2(c) checkbox is ticked and Step 3 credits for dependents. The page opens with default figures that give federal income tax withheld per period of 195.85 USD, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this Federal Tax Withholding Calculator show?
It shows Federal income tax withheld per period, Projected annual federal withholding, Adjusted annual wage amount (Worksheet 1A line 1h/1l), Tentative annual withholding before credits, Percentage method schedule used, Withholding marginal rate, Withholding as a share of gross pay and Social Security withheld per period, with the working and any warnings for your entries.
Can I check how the Federal Tax Withholding Calculator result was calculated?
Yes. The “How this is worked out” section shows the calculation steps, and the sources section identifies the references used for the method.