{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "name": "How do you calculate net pay from gross pay?",
  "description": "Net pay = gross pay − pre-tax deductions − federal tax − state tax − FICA − post-tax deductions. For a $2,000 biweekly check with $120 of 401(k) and $90 of health premiums, a single filer typically nets about $1,520 — roughly 76% of gross.",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/answers/how-to-calculate-net-pay-from-gross",
  "dateModified": "2026-10-01",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "RevenueLab",
    "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi"
  },
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "keywords": [
    "Take-Home Pay Calculator",
    "Paycheck Estimator",
    "NYC Paycheck Calculator"
  ],
  "distribution": {
    "@type": "DataDownload",
    "contentUrl": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/page.json?path=answers%2Fhow-to-calculate-net-pay-from-gross",
    "encodingFormat": "application/json"
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  "json": {
    "type": "answer",
    "question": "How do you calculate net pay from gross pay?",
    "shortAnswer": "Net pay = gross pay − pre-tax deductions − federal tax − state tax − FICA − post-tax deductions. For a $2,000 biweekly check with $120 of 401(k) and $90 of health premiums, a single filer typically nets about $1,520 — roughly 76% of gross.",
    "tableTitle": "Worked example: $2,000 biweekly paycheck, single filer (2025)",
    "columns": [
      "Line item",
      "Amount",
      "Type"
    ],
    "rows": [
      {
        "label": "Gross pay",
        "value": "$2,000",
        "note": "Per biweekly period"
      },
      {
        "label": "401(k) contribution (6%)",
        "value": "−$120",
        "note": "Pre-tax"
      },
      {
        "label": "Health premium",
        "value": "−$90",
        "note": "Pre-tax"
      },
      {
        "label": "Federal income tax",
        "value": "−$148",
        "note": "On $1,790 taxable"
      },
      {
        "label": "FICA (7.65%)",
        "value": "−$153",
        "note": "On full $2,000 gross"
      },
      {
        "label": "Net pay",
        "value": "$1,489",
        "note": "≈ 74% of gross"
      }
    ],
    "context": "Pre-tax deductions do double duty: the $210 above both saves for retirement and shrinks the income tax is calculated on, saving about $25 of federal tax per check. Post-tax deductions (Roth 401(k), union dues, garnishments) come out after tax and don't reduce it. If your net pay is lower than this formula predicts, look for post-tax items or a W-4 with extra withholding.",
    "methodology": "Federal withholding estimated with the 2025 single-filer brackets and $15,000 standard deduction spread over 26 periods. FICA is 7.65% of gross wages. State tax excluded — add your state's rate for a precise figure.",
    "dateModified": "2026-10-01",
    "relatedCalculators": [
      {
        "label": "Take-Home Pay Calculator",
        "to": "/paycheck-take-home-calculator"
      },
      {
        "label": "Paycheck Estimator",
        "to": "/paycheck-estimator"
      },
      {
        "label": "NYC Paycheck Calculator",
        "to": "/nyc-paycheck-calculator"
      }
    ],
    "relatedReading": [
      {
        "label": "How to calculate take-home pay",
        "to": "/answers/how-to-calculate-take-home-pay"
      }
    ]
  }
}