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 read2025 Tax Brackets: Federal Rates & Standard Deduction
See the 2025 federal tax brackets (10%–37%), updated standard deduction amounts, filing-status tables, and a worked marginal-tax example.
Read guide8 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 Income Tax (2025)
Nine US states charge no state income tax on wages. See the full list, what it means for your paycheck, and the trade-offs in other taxes.
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 read