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Understanding Tax Deductions on Your Pay Stub (2026)
Review common pay-stub deductions, current federal sources, and the elections or state rules that can change a 2026 withholding estimate.
Your pay stub shows a significant gap between gross pay and take-home pay. Understanding each deduction helps you budget effectively and verify your employer is withholding the correct amounts.
Mandatory Tax Deductions
Federal Income Tax (FIT)
Federal income tax is calculated based on:
- Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household)
- Your W-4 allowances / withholding elections
- Your gross earnings for the pay period
Employers generally use the employee's Form W-4 and the current IRS Publication 15-T withholding methods. Use our paycheck calculator only as a review estimate.
State Income Tax (SIT)
State income tax rates vary widely:
- No state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming
- Flat rate states: Colorado (4.4%), Illinois (4.95%), Michigan (4.25%)
- Progressive rate states: California (1%-13.3%), New York (4%-10.9%)
Check your state's specific rates on our state generator pages.
Social Security (OASDI)
- Rate: 6.2% of gross earnings
- Wage base: $184,500 in 2026 (you stop paying after earning this amount — Source: SSA)
- Employer match: Your employer pays an additional 6.2%
Medicare (HI)
- Rate: 1.45% of all gross earnings (no wage base limit)
- Additional Medicare Tax: 0.9% on earnings over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married)
- Employer match: Your employer pays an additional 1.45%
Total FICA (Social Security + Medicare)
- Employee share: 7.65% of gross earnings
- Employer share: 7.65% (not shown on your pay stub)
- Combined: 15.3%
Pre-Tax Deductions
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, meaning you pay less in taxes:
Health Insurance
- Medical — employer-sponsored health plan premiums
- Dental — dental insurance premiums
- Vision — vision insurance premiums
Retirement Contributions
- 401(k) — traditional retirement savings (pre-tax)
- 403(b) — for non-profit and education employees
- 457(b) — for government employees
Flexible Spending Accounts
- Healthcare FSA — pre-tax dollars for medical expenses
- Dependent Care FSA — pre-tax dollars for childcare
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Available with high-deductible health plans. 2026 limits:
- Individual: $4,400
- Family: $8,750
- Catch-up (55+): Additional $1,000
Source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-19. Plan eligibility and contribution treatment depend on the account and coverage.
Post-Tax Deductions
These deductions come from your pay after taxes:
- Roth 401(k) — retirement savings with after-tax dollars
- Roth IRA — individual retirement account
- Life insurance — premiums above $50,000 coverage
- Disability insurance — voluntary coverage
- Union dues — if applicable
- Garnishments — court-ordered withholdings
How to Read Your Deductions
Look for these sections on your pay stub:
- Gross Pay — your total earnings before any deductions
- Pre-Tax Deductions — reduce your taxable income
- Taxes — federal, state, and FICA withholdings
- Post-Tax Deductions — taken after taxes
- Net Pay — what you actually receive
Simplified Example
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $3,500.00 |
| 401(k) (6%) | -$210.00 |
| Health Insurance | -$150.00 |
| Taxable Income | $3,140.00 |
| Federal Tax | -$378.00 |
| State Tax (CA) | -$200.00 |
| Social Security | -$217.00 |
| Medicare | -$50.75 |
| Net Pay | $2,294.25 |
Common Pay Stub Errors to Watch For
- Incorrect filing status — verify your W-4 is current
- Wrong tax rate — especially after moving states
- Missing deductions — health insurance or retirement
- Overtime miscalculation — should be 1.5× regular rate
- YTD totals off — compare to your running total
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is so much taken out of my paycheck? Federal income tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare combine for 20-35% of gross pay for most workers. Pre-tax deductions like health insurance and retirement further reduce take-home pay.
How can I reduce my tax deductions? Increase pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), claim appropriate W-4 allowances, and ensure your filing status is correct. However, under-withholding can lead to a tax bill at filing time.
What does FICA mean on my pay stub? FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It's the combined Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes = 7.65% total.
Review estimated deductions → Paycheck Calculators