H-1B Paycheck Calculator 2026: Federal, FICA and State Tax
See your take-home pay after federal, Social Security, Medicare and state tax, as a resident or an H-1B nonresident alien.
More options (filing status, 401(k), HSA)
Estimate for tax year 2026, not tax advice. Federal withholding follows the IRS percentage method for your W-4 filing status, then adds Social Security, Medicare and your state. How we calculate
Common questions
Do H-1B workers pay Social Security and Medicare?
Yes. H-1B workers pay FICA from their first paycheck, whether they are resident or nonresident aliens for income tax. Only certain F-1, J-1, M-1 and Q visa holders who are nonresident aliens are exempt.
Why does my actual paycheck differ from this estimate?
Your W-4 choices (dependents, extra withholding, other income), employer benefit deductions, bonuses taxed at the supplemental rate and local taxes all change the real figure. States also use their own withholding tables, while this tool spreads your estimated annual state tax evenly across paychecks.
Does a 401(k) reduce Social Security and Medicare tax?
No. 401(k) deferrals reduce income tax only. HSA contributions through payroll and Section 125 health premiums reduce both income tax and FICA.
What is the extra $16,100 for nonresident aliens?
The IRS adds it to a nonresident alien's wages when computing withholding, because nonresidents cannot claim the standard deduction. It affects withholding only; your actual tax is settled on your return.
How current are the figures?
Federal tables are the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T and Publication 15 figures. State figures use each state's 2026 schedule where published; the note under the calculator lists any that do not. Last verified: 2026-11-06.
How we calculate
Your employer starts from gross pay for the period and subtracts pre-tax items such as 401(k), HSA and health premiums. Federal income tax is withheld with the IRS annual percentage method from Publication 15-T for a 2020-or-later Form W-4, without dependents, extra withholding or other adjustments. Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000) are taken from wages after health and HSA deductions, but not after 401(k).
Nonresident aliens withhold as single, with $16,100 added to wages for the income-tax calculation only (IRS Notice 1392). F-1 students who are nonresident aliens are exempt from Social Security and Medicare under IRC 3121(b)(19), generally for their first five calendar years in the U.S. H-1B workers pay both whether they are residents or nonresidents.
State income tax is your estimated annual state tax divided across paychecks, using the standard deduction and personal exemption only, not the state's own withholding tables. State payroll programs such as disability, paid leave and long-term care are listed on their own lines. Some states tax 401(k) or HSA contributions that the federal system does not, so those states may run higher than shown. Local taxes are not included except New York City and the Maryland county default.
Figures that are not fully verified
- California (2025): California has not published its 2026 tax schedules yet (expected late December 2026); the 2025 schedule is used.
- Maryland (2026): County tax defaults to 3.2% (Montgomery County); your county rate runs 2.25% to 3.2%. 2025 standard deduction used.
Figures last checked November 6, 2026. Sources: IRS Publication 15-T, IRS Notice 1392.