See roughly how much federal income tax comes out of each paycheck.
A tax withholding calculator estimates the federal income tax taken from each paycheck, so you can check whether you're withholding too much or too little.
Your employer withholds an estimate of your annual federal income tax, spread across your paychecks, based on your W-4. This calculator approximates it using the standard deduction and 2025 brackets divided by your pay periods. Getting it roughly right means no big surprise, refund or bill, at tax time.
If you consistently get a large refund, you're over-withholding, lending the government money interest-free, and could put that cash in your paychecks by adjusting your W-4. If you owe a lot each year, adding extra withholding avoids a bill and possible penalties. The goal for most people is to land near zero.
Employers estimate your annual federal tax from your W-4 and spread it across your paychecks. This tool approximates it with the standard deduction and 2025 brackets.
Not really, a large refund means you over-withheld and lent the IRS money interest-free. Adjusting your W-4 puts that cash in your paychecks instead.
Social Security, Medicare, state tax, credits, and other income. It estimates federal income tax withholding only.
See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.