Paycheck, salary and tax guides
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Plain-English explanations of pay, payroll taxes and deductions, checked against IRS and state sources for the 2026 tax year.
401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026
The 2026 401(k) limit is $24,500, with larger catch-up contributions for workers 50 and older and a special catch-up at ages 60…
What Is a 401(k) Contribution and How Does It Affect Take-Home Pay?
A traditional 401(k) contribution lowers your income tax, so your take-home pay falls by less than the amount you put in.
How Much Is $40,000 a Year After Taxes?
$40,000 a year is about $34,320 after federal taxes for a single filer in 2026, less in states with income tax. See…
What Happens in a 27-Paycheck Year?
Biweekly paydays occasionally add up to 27 in a calendar year. Here's how that changes your paychecks, your taxes and your deductions.
How Much Is $25 an Hour After Taxes?
Working full time at $25 an hour, a single filer takes home about $1,691 every two weeks in a no-tax state in…
How Much Is $20 an Hour After Taxes?
At $20 an hour full time, a single filer takes home about $685 a week in a no-tax state in 2026, or…
How Much Is $15 an Hour a Year?
Full time, $15 an hour is $31,200 a year before taxes; after 2026 taxes, a single filer keeps about $26,200 to $27,250…
1099 vs W-2: How Your Take-Home Pay Differs
Earning the same amount as a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor leaves you with different take-home pay. Here is a side-by-side…
How Much Is $100,000 a Year After Taxes?
A single filer on $100,000 keeps about $79,180 in a no-tax state in 2026 and roughly $71,000 to $77,000 in the income-tax…
Understanding FICA: Social Security and Medicare Taxes
Understanding FICA: If you’ve ever looked at your pay stub and wondered why money is taken out for Social Security and Medicare,…