Tax Guides (page 2)

Plain-English guides to federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and withholding for the 2026 tax year.

Tax Guides: page 2

New brackets, a higher standard deduction, a bigger Social Security wage base and new contribution limits all affect 2026 paychecks.

Self-employment tax is how freelancers pay Social Security and Medicare. Here is the 2026 math, step by step, with real examples.

Social Security tax is 6.2% of your wages up to $184,500 in 2026, matched by your employer. Here's what it covers and…

The Social Security wage base is the cap on wages taxed for Social Security: $184,500 in 2026. Here's what happens to your…

The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. Here is how it shapes your…

Bonuses, commissions and similar payments are supplemental wages. Here is how employers withhold federal tax on them in 2026.

A large refund is money you overpaid during the year. See what it is worth per paycheck and how to shift it…

Withholding is a prepayment from each paycheck. Tax owed is your actual bill. Here is how they compare and why they rarely…

The new tips and overtime deductions lower income tax when you file, but most paychecks still look the same. Here is why.

Your W-4 form tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold. Here is what each step controls and how one…

Two jobs or a working spouse can leave you under-withheld because each employer assumes it's your only income. Here is how W-4…

FICA is the Social Security and Medicare tax taken from every paycheck: 7.65% for most employees in 2026, with an equal employer…