Frequently asked questions
- What is the 2026 Social Security wage base?
- For 2026 the Social Security wage base is $184,500. Social Security tax is 6.2% on wages up to that cap, so the most an employee pays into Social Security in 2026 is $11,439. Employers pay a matching 6.2%. Source: SSA Contribution and Benefit Base.
- What is the Medicare tax rate for 2026?
- Medicare tax is 1.45% of all wages with no wage cap in 2026. An Additional Medicare tax of 0.9% applies to wages above $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. Employers do not match the 0.9% Additional Medicare tax.
- What is the 2026 standard deduction?
- For 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household. Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
- What is the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?
- The 2026 401(k) elective deferral limit is $24,500. The age-50 catch-up is $8,000, and a higher SECURE 2.0 catch-up of $11,250 applies to workers aged 60 to 63. The 2026 IRA limit is $7,500. Source: IRS Notice 2025-67.
- What are the 2026 federal income tax brackets?
- For 2026 the federal rates are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. For a single filer the 10% band runs up to $12,400 of taxable income, 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775, 32% to $256,225, 35% to $640,600, and 37% above that. Married-filing-jointly thresholds are roughly double. Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
- Why do these numbers matter for my paycheck?
- These figures set how much is withheld from your pay. The Social Security cap limits how long the 6.2% comes out each year, the brackets and standard deduction drive federal income tax withholding, and the 401(k) limit caps how much you can defer pre-tax. Using current-year numbers matters: several published calculators still show older Social Security caps, which produces wrong results.
The 2026 numbers behind your paycheck.
These are the federal figures that decide what comes out of your pay in 2026. Social Security is 6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages, Medicare is 1.45% with no cap, the standard deduction is $16,100 for a single filer, and the 401(k) elective deferral limit is $24,500. Every number below is dated and linked to its primary source.
2026 US pay numbers
For 2026, Social Security tax is 6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages, so the most an employee pays into Social Security is $11,439. Medicare is 1.45% with no wage cap, and an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare applies to wages above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. The standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly.
2026 federal income tax brackets (single filer)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $12,400 | 10% |
| $12,400 to $50,400 | 12% |
| $50,400 to $105,700 | 22% |
| $105,700 to $201,775 | 24% |
| $201,775 to $256,225 | 32% |
| $256,225 to $640,600 | 35% |
| Over $640,600 | 37% |
Brackets apply to taxable income after the standard deduction. Married-filing-jointly thresholds are roughly double the single figures.
Verified June 2026. Sources: SSA Contribution and Benefit Base, IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, IRS Notice 2025-67. Educational only, not advice.
Common questions
- What is the 2026 Social Security wage base?
- For 2026 the Social Security wage base is $184,500. Social Security tax is 6.2% on wages up to that cap, so the most an employee pays into Social Security in 2026 is $11,439. Employers pay a matching 6.2%. Source: SSA Contribution and Benefit Base.
- What is the Medicare tax rate for 2026?
- Medicare tax is 1.45% of all wages with no wage cap in 2026. An Additional Medicare tax of 0.9% applies to wages above $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. Employers do not match the 0.9% Additional Medicare tax.
- What is the 2026 standard deduction?
- For 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household. Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
- What is the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?
- The 2026 401(k) elective deferral limit is $24,500. The age-50 catch-up is $8,000, and a higher SECURE 2.0 catch-up of $11,250 applies to workers aged 60 to 63. The 2026 IRA limit is $7,500. Source: IRS Notice 2025-67.
- What are the 2026 federal income tax brackets?
- For 2026 the federal rates are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. For a single filer the 10% band runs up to $12,400 of taxable income, 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775, 32% to $256,225, 35% to $640,600, and 37% above that. Married-filing-jointly thresholds are roughly double. Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
- Why do these numbers matter for my paycheck?
- These figures set how much is withheld from your pay. The Social Security cap limits how long the 6.2% comes out each year, the brackets and standard deduction drive federal income tax withholding, and the 401(k) limit caps how much you can defer pre-tax. Using current-year numbers matters: several published calculators still show older Social Security caps, which produces wrong results.
Use the numbers
PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, accounting, employment, benefits, or payroll advice. PayslipIQ is not a CPA firm, law firm, financial advisor, payroll provider, or tax authority. Always verify your paycheck, deductions, withholdings, and tax position with your employer's payroll department, a qualified CPA, the IRS, your state tax authority, or another appropriately qualified professional. Calculations are estimates; your actual paycheck may differ based on factors specific to your employer, location, benefits elections, and personal tax situation.