401(k) Contribution Calculator: See Your Take-Home With Any Contribution (2026)
Contributing to a 401(k) reduces your taxable income, so your take-home pay doesn’t drop by the full contribution amount. Here’s how it works and how to see your exact numbers.
How 401k Affects Your Paycheck
- Traditional 401k: Contributions are pre-tax. They lower your taxable income, so you pay less federal (and usually state) tax. Your take-home drops by less than the contribution.
- Roth 401k: Contributions are after-tax. They don’t reduce taxable income; your take-home drops by the full contribution (but growth is tax-free in retirement).
Example (Rough)
On a $60,000 salary, contributing $5,000 to a traditional 401k might reduce your take-home by only about $3,500–$4,000 (depending on state and filing status), because you save tax on the $5,000.
Calculate Your Take-Home With Any 401k Contribution (2026)
US Tax Calculator – supports 401k; enter your salary and contribution →
Our calculator lets you enter a 401k contribution and see updated federal tax, state tax, FICA, and net pay so you know exactly how much you keep.
See your take-home with 401k →
Rules are for 2026. Consult a financial or tax professional for retirement planning.
References (2026)
Tax & social contributions
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — 2026 brackets & standard deduction
- IRS Publication 15 (2026) — employer withholding & FICA
- SSA — 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- Tax Foundation — 2026 state income tax rates
- IRS — 401(k) plan contribution limits
- IRS — Deferrals and matching when compensation exceeds the annual limit
- IRS — Retirement plans overview
- IRS Notice 2025-67 — 2026 cost-of-living adjustments
Figures on this page are from this site's calculators and the official publications linked above. Not financial advice.