Tax year 2026 · updated October 2, 2026 · engine estimates
What is FICA on a paycheck? (2026)
Sample take-home: $60,859.58 a year · $5,071.63 a month · $2,340.75 biweekly.
Tax year 2026, California, single, standard deduction, no 401(k).
FICA is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act line, not federal income tax. On a 2026 W-2 it is usually two pieces: Social Security (OASDI) at 6.2% of FICA wages up to the SSA $184,500 wage base, and Medicare at 1.45% of all FICA wages. Additional Medicare is 0.9% above a filing-status threshold. This page shows those lines on an $80,000 California sample.
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Estimated take-home · CA · Annual
per year
See breakdown
| Item | Annual |
|---|---|
| Gross | $80,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | $8,770.00 |
| Social Security | $4,960.00 |
| Medicare | $1,160.00 |
| State income tax | $3,210.42 |
| CA SDI | $1,040.00 |
| Total tax | $19,140.42 |
| Net / take-home | $60,859.58 |
What this includes. Included: 2026 federal brackets + standard deduction (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (plus 0.9% additional Medicare over the threshold), and the state income-tax model (including states with no state income tax); CA SDI, WA Cares, and optional NYC when those lines apply. Not included: other local/city taxes, Child Tax Credit, EITC, itemized deductions, 401(k)/HSA/FSA unless typed in, garnishments. See methodology.
Estimate only — not tax advice or full tax software. 2026 federal brackets and a simplified state model. Locals other than optional NYC, CA SDI, and WA Cares are omitted. Confirm with your pay stub or a tax professional.
The calculator sample starts as a single filer. Change filing status above to see married or head-of-household take-home on this same wage. Numbers update as you type.
Paycheck breakdown
| Period | Gross | Taxes | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $80,000.00 | $19,140.42 | $60,859.58 |
| Monthly | $6,666.67 | $1,595.03 | $5,071.63 |
| Biweekly | $3,076.92 | $736.17 | $2,340.75 |
| Weekly | $1,538.46 | $368.09 | $1,170.38 |
| Hourly | $38.46 | $9.20 | $29.26 |
Tax breakdown
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal | $8,770.00 |
| State | $3,210.42 |
| Social Security | $4,960.00 |
| Medicare | $1,160.00 |
| CA SDI | $1,040.00 |
| Total tax | $19,140.42 |
| Effective rate | 23.9% |
| Net % of gross | 76.1% |
Stubs label the pieces as FICA, SS, OASDI, Med, or EE. They are still employee Social Security and Medicare. Traditional 401(k) deferrals usually stay in the FICA base. Section 125 health premiums (and the HSA/FSA-style health line on this site) generally come out of FICA wages. That is why the HSA and FSA pages move take-home differently from a 401(k).
On $80,000 with no health line, employee Social Security is $4,960 ($80,000 × 0.062) and Medicare is $1,160 ($80,000 × 0.0145). Additional Medicare does not apply. The employer pays a matching Social Security and Medicare amount that does not appear as a cut from your net.
Federal income tax is a separate bracket calculation after the standard deduction. Do not add FICA into the “federal” line. Reviewed October 2, 2026.
Engine estimates for tax year 2026 — not tax advice or a pay stub. Omits local taxes, most credits, and SDI/PFML. See methodology.
What this includes. Included: 2026 federal brackets + standard deduction (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (plus 0.9% additional Medicare over the threshold), and the state income-tax model (including states with no state income tax); CA SDI, WA Cares, and optional NYC when those lines apply. Not included: other local/city taxes, Child Tax Credit, EITC, itemized deductions, 401(k)/HSA/FSA unless typed in, garnishments. See methodology.
Related: Additional Medicare tax paycheck · Net vs gross pay · Paycheck deductions explained
FAQ
What does FICA stand for on a paycheck?
Federal Insurance Contributions Act. On a stub it is employee Social Security and Medicare, sometimes split into SS and Med.
Is FICA the same as federal income tax?
No. Federal income tax uses IRS brackets and the standard deduction. FICA is 6.2% Social Security (capped) plus 1.45% Medicare.
What is FICA EE?
Employee share. There is also an employer share, which is not subtracted from take-home on this calculator.