Paycheck & Tax Guides
Understanding your paycheck shouldn't require a tax degree. These guides explain — in plain English — how US payroll taxes work, what every line on your pay stub means, and how to estimate the money that actually lands in your account. Each one pairs with our free paycheck calculator.
How Paycheck Taxes Work: A Complete US Guide
A plain-English guide to every tax taken out of a US paycheck: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax, and how each works.
Read guide8 min readWhat Is FICA? Social Security and Medicare Explained
FICA is the 7.65% payroll tax on your paycheck. See how Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) work, plus the wage base limit and extra Medicare tax.
Read guide7 min read2026 Tax Brackets: Federal Rates & Standard Deduction
See the 2026 federal tax brackets (10%–37%), standard deduction amounts, filing-status tables, and a worked marginal-tax example.
Read guide8 min read2027 Tax Brackets: IRS Release Date and What Will Change
The IRS has not released the 2027 tax brackets yet. See when they are expected, what stays the same, what changes, and the 2026 brackets for comparison.
Read guide5 min readHow to Read Your Pay Stub: Every Line Explained
Confused by your pay stub? This guide breaks down gross pay, every deduction code (FICA, FIT, SIT), pre-tax vs post-tax items, and year-to-date totals.
Read guide7 min readGross Pay vs Net Pay: What's the Difference?
Gross pay is what you earn; net pay is what you keep. Learn the difference, why the gap exists, and how to estimate your real take-home pay.
Read guide6 min read9 States With No Tax on Wage Income (2026)
Nine US states do not tax wage income. See the full 2026 list, Washington's capital-gains exception, and what this means for a paycheck.
Read guide7 min readProof of Income: Documents That Count and How to Get Them
What counts as proof of income for renting, a loan, or a visa: pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, bank statements, and how self-employed workers prove income.
Read guide7 min readHow to Fill Out a W-4 (2026): Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-step guide to the 2026 Form W-4: filing status, the two-jobs checkbox, the $2,200 child credit, new overtime and tip deductions, and extra withholding.
Read guide9 min read