Real Raise Calculator
A raise is taxed at your marginal rate, not your average rate — so the extra cash in your paycheck is smaller than the headline number. Enter your current salary and the raise to see what you actually keep.
Your $10,000 raise puts this in your pocket
$7,035
You keep 70.35% of the raise — 29.65% goes to tax.
- Federal income tax
- −$2,200
- State income tax
- $0
- FICA
- −$765
- In your pocket
- $7,035
Updated June 17, 2026Source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 & SSA (2026)
Worked example
On a $100,000 salary, a $10,000 raise pushes the new income through your top bracket plus Social Security and Medicare — so a chunk goes to tax and the rest lands in your paycheck. The breakdown shows exactly how the raise splits between federal tax, state tax, FICA, and take-home.
FAQ
- Why is my raise taxed so much?
- Only the raise is taxed at your highest (marginal) rate — the rest of your income keeps its lower rates. Your overall average rate rises only slightly.
- Does a raise ever leave me with less money?
- No. US brackets are marginal, so a raise always increases take-home — you just keep a smaller share of the new dollars than of your first dollars.
- Are tax credits or deductions included?
- No. This is an estimate using the standard deduction and excludes credits (CTC, EITC), itemized deductions, and AMT.
Estimate only — not tax advice. This calculator gives an approximate take-home figure based on 2026 federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and, where shown, state income tax. It does not account for tax credits (such as the Child Tax Credit or EITC), the Alternative Minimum Tax, preferential capital-gains rates, or itemized deductions beyond the standard deduction. Your actual paycheck may differ. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.