How to Calculate Net Pay
What is Net Pay?
A net pay (take-home pay) calculator subtracts income tax, National Insurance (UK) or FICA (US), pension contributions, and other deductions from gross salary to give the actual amount received.
Formula
Net pay = Gross pay − (federal tax + state tax + FICA + benefits + other deductions)
- Gross
- Total earnings ($)
- Tax
- Income tax withheld ($)
- FICA
- Social Security + Medicare ($)
- Net
- Take-home pay ($)
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Net = Gross − Income tax − NI/Social Security − Pension − Other deductions
- 2UK NI 2024/25: 8% on £12,570–£50,270; 2% above
- 3US FICA: 6.2% Social Security (up to $168,600) + 1.45% Medicare
- 4Pension: auto-enrolment UK minimum 5% employee, 3% employer
Worked Examples
Input
UK £40,000 gross salary 2024/25
Result
Income tax ≈ £5,486; NI ≈ £2,188; Net ≈ £32,326/yr = £2,694/month
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in FICA deductions?
Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Employer matches but doesn't reduce net pay.
Why is net pay different from gross?
Taxes, benefits, retirement contributions, insurance premiums all reduce gross to net (take-home).
Can I control net pay through W-4?
Yes. Adjust withholding allowances. More allowances = less tax withheld = higher net. Aim for small refund.