About Netly Compare
Netly Compare is a free take-home pay calculator built for comparing: two job offers, two states, a salary against freelance income, or a raise against a bigger 401(k) contribution. Enter a salary and see what is left after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes.
What it does
- Compares two scenarios side by side, line by line.
- Handles salary, hourly with overtime, bonuses and self-employed (1099) income, including a quarterly tax set-aside.
- Creates a shareable link that restores your exact inputs.
- Works without an account. Your numbers stay in your browser (see the privacy policy).
How the numbers are calculated
Federal: 2026 income tax brackets and standard deductions from the IRS inflation adjustments, the Social Security wage base of $184,500, Medicare, and the Additional Medicare Tax for higher earners. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions and health premiums are treated the way payroll treats them.
State: California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois use exact bracket calculations (2025 schedules, single and married filing jointly). Other states use an approximate effective rate. Every result says which method was used, and you can enter your own rate to override it. Local taxes (such as city or county income taxes) are not included.
Limitations
Results are estimates, not tax advice. The calculator assumes the standard deduction and ignores credits, itemized deductions, other income and W-4 adjustments, and it divides annual figures across pay periods rather than using the IRS withholding tables. Your actual paycheck can differ. For decisions with real money at stake, check with a tax professional or your payroll department.
Updates
Tax tables are reviewed and updated each January when new federal figures are published, and state schedules are updated as official figures are confirmed.
Contact
Found an error or a number that does not match your paystub? Email hello@netlycompare.com with your state, salary and what you expected. Reports like these are the fastest way to improve accuracy.