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.
How Many Paychecks Do You Get in a Year?
Weekly is 52 paychecks, biweekly 26, semimonthly 24 and monthly 12. Here is what each schedule means for your check size and…
How Employers Calculate Payroll
The step-by-step process employers follow to turn hours or salary into a paycheck, with a worked overtime example and the employer taxes…
How Bonuses Are Taxed
Bonuses are usually withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, but your actual tax depends on your bracket. Here is why the…
How Much of a Raise Will You Actually Keep?
A raise always increases your paycheck, but taxes take a share. Here's how to work out how much of a raise you'll…
How to Calculate Annual Salary From Hourly Wage
Multiply your hourly rate by 2,080 for a full-time annual salary, then adjust for part-time hours, overtime, unpaid time off and taxes.
States With the Highest Income Tax Rates in 2026
The states with the highest income tax rates in 2026, where those top rates actually start, and what a $120,000 earner pays…
How Health Insurance Deductions Affect Your Paycheck
Health insurance premiums paid through your employer usually come out pre-tax, which lowers your income tax and FICA along with your pay.
Head of Household Filing Status Explained
Head of household status gives single parents and other qualifying taxpayers a bigger standard deduction and wider brackets. Here is who qualifies.
FSA vs HSA: Which Payroll Deduction Saves More?
Dollar for dollar, an FSA and an HSA save the same tax on your paycheck. The differences are eligibility, limits and what…
States With a Flat Income Tax in 2026
Every state with a single flat income tax rate in 2026, how the rates compare, and why the deduction can matter as…