How to Figure Your Payroll Check

Figuring out your paycheck is an essential part of budgeting.

Part of having an accurate and reliable budget is knowing exactly what your income will be. However, it's not always easy to determine exactly what your paycheck will be, since it can vary depending on your state, federal and local taxes. If your paycheck is identical from check to check, you can accurately determine your income from just one check. If, however, your payroll check varies with each pay period, your simplest option is to use an online calculator to figure what your check will be.

Things You'll Need

• Copy of your W4

Instructions

1. Go to a website that has a free paycheck calculator, such as Paycheckcity.com or Payroll-taxes.com.

2. Begin by entering the general information found on your W4. This includes your gross pay or salary, the frequency of pay and your filing status (such as single or married filing jointly), as well as any exemptions or additional federal withholding amounts.

3. Enter the information that is particular to your state of residence, like the percentage of wages that is exempt from withholding or any additional state withholding amounts.

4. Conclude by entering any additional, voluntary deductions from your payroll check. This may include health insurance or retirement plans.

5. Click "Calculate" to see the amount that your payroll check will be.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no guarantee that an online calculator will be 100 percent accurate. Be sure to compare your actual paycheck with the online calculation to determine its accuracy.

References

• Payroll Taxes: Paycheck Calculators
• Paycheck City: Paycheck Calculator