Use this calculator to estimate your net pay per pay period in Louisiana, factoring in federal and state taxes, as well as common deductions. Please note that this calculator uses simplified tax assumptions and should be used for estimation purposes only.
Hourly
Salary
Bi-weekly (26x per year)
Weekly (52x per year)
Semi-monthly (24x per year)
Monthly (12x per year)
Federal Tax Information
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Louisiana State Tax Information
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Deductions
Understanding Your Louisiana Paycheck
A paycheck calculator helps you estimate how much money you'll actually take home after various deductions and taxes are withheld from your gross earnings. For residents of Louisiana, this involves federal taxes, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and Louisiana state income tax, along with any pre-tax or post-tax deductions you may have.
Gross Pay
Your gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. If you're paid hourly, it's your hourly wage multiplied by the hours worked in a pay period. If you're salaried, it's your annual salary divided by the number of pay periods in a year (e.g., 26 for bi-weekly, 12 for monthly).
FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
Social Security: This is a federal tax that funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. The current rate is 6.2% of your gross pay, up to an annual wage base limit (e.g., $168,600 for 2024).
Medicare: This federal tax funds hospital insurance for the elderly and disabled. The rate is 1.45% of your gross pay, with no wage base limit.
Federal Income Tax (FIT)
Federal income tax is withheld from your paycheck based on the information you provide on your W-4 form (filing status, dependents, additional withholding). The amount withheld depends on your taxable income and the progressive federal tax brackets. Our calculator uses simplified federal tax brackets and standard deductions for estimation.
Louisiana State Income Tax
Louisiana imposes its own state income tax, which is also progressive. The amount withheld depends on your taxable income, filing status, and the number of dependents you claim for state tax purposes. Our calculator uses simplified Louisiana state tax brackets and exemptions for estimation.
Deductions
Deductions reduce your taxable income or your net pay:
Pre-tax Deductions: These are taken out of your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) or traditional IRA, health insurance premiums, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These deductions lower your taxable income, reducing your federal and state income tax liability.
Post-tax Deductions: These are taken out of your pay after all taxes have been calculated. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, life insurance premiums, or union dues. These do not reduce your taxable income.
Net Pay
Your net pay, or "take-home pay," is the amount remaining after all federal, state, and FICA taxes, as well as any pre-tax and post-tax deductions, have been subtracted from your gross pay.
Example Calculation (Using Calculator Defaults)
Let's use the default values in the calculator:
Pay Type: Hourly
Hourly Wage: $25
Hours Worked per Pay Period: 80 (for bi-weekly)
Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly
Federal Filing Status: Single, 0 Dependents
Louisiana Filing Status: Single, 0 Dependents
Pre-tax Deductions: $100
Post-tax Deductions: $50
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how the calculator would estimate your pay:
Applying simplified LA brackets to $44,900 (e.g., 2% on $12,500, 4% on $32,400) results in an estimated annual LA tax.
Dividing by 26 pay periods gives the per-pay-period LA tax.
Total Deductions: FICA + Federal Tax + LA Tax + Post-tax Deductions ($50).
Net Pay: Gross Pay – Total Deductions.
Using the calculator with these defaults, you would get an estimated net pay of approximately $1,500 – $1,600, depending on the exact simplified tax bracket calculations.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on simplified tax rules and should not be considered financial or tax advice. For precise calculations, consult a tax professional or your payroll department. Tax laws and rates are subject to change.
Gross Pay per Period: $${grossPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Pre-tax Deductions: $${preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2)}
Social Security Tax: $${socialSecurityTax.toFixed(2)}
Medicare Tax: $${medicareTax.toFixed(2)}
Federal Income Tax: $${federalTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Louisiana State Tax: $${louisianaTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Post-tax Deductions: $${postTaxDeductions.toFixed(2)}
Total Deductions: $${totalDeductions.toFixed(2)}
Net Pay per Period: $${netPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2)}
Note: This is an estimate based on simplified tax calculations.
`;
}
// Initialize fields on load
window.onload = togglePayTypeFields;