NetPayGuide Blog
Paycheck & Tax Guides
Plain-English explainers on federal taxes, state withholding, FICA, 401(k), and everything else that affects what actually lands in your bank account.
- Tax BasicsSalary & OffersInvalid Date
Adjusting Your W-4 After a Raise: How to Fix Over- or Under-Withholding
W-4 adjustment after raise — learn when to update your withholding, how much to claim, and why the IRS workbook matters. 2026 step-by-step guide.
Read more → - ResearchState TaxesMay 17, 2026
Take-Home Pay by State in 2026: $75K Salary, All 50 States Compared
We ran a $75,000 single-filer scenario through every US state's 2026 tax structure. Here's where workers keep the most — and the least — of their gross.
Read more → - DeductionsMay 18, 2026
Pre-Tax Deductions Explained: How 401(k), HSA, and FSA Shrink Your Tax Bill
Pre-tax deductions explained — see how 401(k), HSA, and FSA reduce your taxable income and federal withholding in real dollars. Calculate your actual take-home.
Read more → - Tax BasicsJanuary 20, 2026
How Much Is Taken Out of a Paycheck for Taxes?
A plain-English breakdown of every deduction that hits your paycheck — federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state taxes, and more — with 2026 rates.
Read more → - Tax BasicsSalary & OffersMay 18, 2026
How a Bonus Really Affects Your Paycheck: The Math Behind Extra Income (2026)
How bonus affects take-home pay — federal tax, state tax, and FICA all apply. See real numbers for $5k, $10k, and $25k bonuses in 2026.
Read more → - DeductionsTax BasicsInvalid Date
A 1099 Contractor's Paycheck Math: Self-Employment Tax, Estimated Taxes, and Quarterly Filings
1099 contractor paycheck calculation — understand self-employment tax, quarterly estimated taxes, and how much you'll actually keep. Step-by-step 2026 breakdown.
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