Navigating your paycheck can seem complex with various deductions and taxes. This Los Angeles Paycheck Calculator aims to provide a clear estimate of your net (take-home) pay based on your gross earnings and common deductions. Understanding these components is crucial for personal financial planning.
Key Components of Your Paycheck:
Gross Pay: This is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out. It's usually based on your hourly wage or salary and the number of hours worked or salary period.
Federal Income Tax: This is the tax levied by the U.S. federal government. The amount withheld depends on your W-4 form (filing status, dependents, other income) and your annual income.
California State Income Tax: California has a progressive income tax system, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in state taxes. The withholding is also based on your state tax withholding form and income level.
FICA Taxes: This stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It comprises two parts:
Social Security Tax: Currently at 6.2% of your gross pay, up to an annual wage limit ($168,600 in 2024).
Medicare Tax: Currently at 1.45% of your gross pay, with no wage limit. Additional Medicare tax applies to higher earners.
These taxes fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
Other Deductions: This category can include a variety of voluntary and mandatory deductions beyond taxes, such as:
Health, dental, or vision insurance premiums
Retirement contributions (e.g., 401(k), 403(b))
Union dues
Garnishment orders
Net Pay: This is the amount of money you actually receive in your bank account or as a physical check after all deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay.
How the LA Paycheck Calculator Works:
The calculator takes your entered Gross Pay and Pay Frequency. It then calculates the portion of your annual estimated taxes and deductions that apply to each pay period.
The formulas used are approximations:
Annual Gross Income: Calculated by multiplying Gross Pay Per Pay Period by the number of Pay Periods Per Year based on your selected Pay Frequency.
Pay Period Tax/Deduction: For each annual figure entered (Federal Withholding, State Withholding, FICA, Other Deductions), the calculator divides the annual amount by the number of Pay Periods Per Year to estimate the deduction for the current pay period.
Important Note: This calculator provides an *estimate*. Actual withholding amounts can vary based on specific tax laws, your personal tax situation (e.g., filing status, dependents, additional withholding requests), the exact percentages used for FICA up to certain limits, and the specific details of your employer's payroll system. For precise figures, always refer to your official pay stub or consult with your HR department or a tax professional.
function calculateNetPay() {
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossPay").value);
var payFrequency = document.getElementById("payFrequency").value;
var federalWithholdingAnnual = parseFloat(document.getElementById("federalWithholding").value);
var stateWithholdingAnnual = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stateWithholding").value);
var ficaAnnual = parseFloat(document.getElementById("fica").value);
var otherDeductionsAnnual = parseFloat(document.getElementById("otherDeductions").value);
var payPeriodsPerYear = 1;
if (payFrequency === "weekly") {
payPeriodsPerYear = 52;
} else if (payFrequency === "bi-weekly") {
payPeriodsPerYear = 26;
} else if (payFrequency === "semi-monthly") {
payPeriodsPerYear = 24;
} else if (payFrequency === "monthly") {
payPeriodsPerYear = 12;
}
// Basic validation
if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0 ||
isNaN(federalWithholdingAnnual) || federalWithholdingAnnual < 0 ||
isNaN(stateWithholdingAnnual) || stateWithholdingAnnual < 0 ||
isNaN(ficaAnnual) || ficaAnnual < 0 ||
isNaN(otherDeductionsAnnual) || otherDeductionsAnnual < 0) {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
var federalWithholdingPerPeriod = federalWithholdingAnnual / payPeriodsPerYear;
var stateWithholdingPerPeriod = stateWithholdingAnnual / payPeriodsPerYear;
var ficaPerPeriod = ficaAnnual / payPeriodsPerYear;
var otherDeductionsPerPeriod = otherDeductionsAnnual / payPeriodsPerYear;
var totalDeductionsPerPeriod = federalWithholdingPerPeriod + stateWithholdingPerPeriod + ficaPerPeriod + otherDeductionsPerPeriod;
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductionsPerPeriod;
// Ensure net pay is not negative due to excessive deductions
if (netPay < 0) {
netPay = 0;
}
var resultElement = document.getElementById("result");
resultElement.innerHTML = "$" + netPay.toFixed(2) + "Estimated Net Pay Per Period";
}