Texas Tax Calculator (2026)
A clean, transparent estimate of your 2026 Texas take-home pay. Enter your salary, filing status, and pre-tax deductions — we’ll walk through federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and what’s left in your pocket. Texas charges $0 on the income line, so this calculator is essentially a federal-only one wearing a cowboy hat.
Estimates use 2026 projected federal brackets, the standard deduction for your filing status, and current FICA rates. Texas has no state income tax, so your gross is not reduced by any state withholding.
Why Texas paychecks are different
Most U.S. paycheck math starts with three layers: federal, state, and FICA. In Texas the middle layer is gone. Once you understand what your federal take-home looks like, you have your full Texas picture — and that’s the gap that makes a relocation from California, New York, or Oregon feel meaningful even before you change anything else about your life.
But the absence of a state income tax doesn’t make Texas a zero-tax state. The state replaces that revenue with property taxes (effective rates of roughly 1.6%–2.3% depending on county and ISD), sales taxes (8.25% in most cities), and a franchise tax on most businesses with revenue over the no-tax threshold. For most wage earners, the trade still tilts in Texas’ favor, but homeowners and large landlords feel the property tax line acutely.
How the calculator works (the math)
We start from your gross annual salary. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce your federal taxable income but not your FICA wages — that’s why high earners maxing out 401(k)s still see Social Security and Medicare taken out of the full check. Section 125 plans (HSA, qualifying health premiums, dependent care FSA) reduce both federal taxable income and FICA wages, which is why HSAs are often called the most tax-advantaged account in America.
We then subtract the standard deduction for your filing status ($15,700 for single, $31,400 for married filing jointly in 2026, projected) and apply the 2026 federal brackets. Social Security is 6.2% up to the projected $178,500 wage base. Medicare is 1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above the threshold for your filing status ($200k single, $250k joint).
What this calculator doesn’t do (and why)
- Itemized deductions beyond a simple override. Mortgage interest, SALT (capped at $10k), and charitable giving are highly individual. Plug in a manual itemized total if the standard deduction undercounts you.
- Quarterly estimated payments. If you’re mostly W-2, your employer handles withholding. 1099/SE workers should use our self-employment calculator and plan four payments per year.
- Local taxes. Texas has no local income tax. If you’re moving from a city like NYC or Yonkers, that local layer also disappears.
Quick examples on common salaries
For a single filer in Texas with no pre-tax contributions, the rough 2026 take-home looks like this (full paycheck calculator above for personalized numbers):
- $60,000 → roughly $48,500 take-home (~19% effective)
- $100,000 → roughly $77,500 take-home (~22.5% effective)
- $150,000 → roughly $111,500 take-home (~25.7% effective)
- $200,000 → roughly $145,500 take-home (~27.3% effective)
Frequently asked questions
What does the Texas Tax Calculator actually compute?
Federal income tax (using 2026 projected brackets and the standard deduction for your filing status), Social Security at 6.2% up to the wage base, Medicare at 1.45% plus the 0.9% additional Medicare surtax above filing-status thresholds, and the resulting net annual and per-paycheck take-home. State income tax is $0 in Texas.
Why is there no state tax line?
Texas is one of nine states (along with Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Alaska, Wyoming, Tennessee, New Hampshire on wage income, and Washington on wage income) that does not levy a personal income tax on wages. The Texas Constitution requires statewide voter approval to enact one.
Does the calculator handle 401(k) and HSA contributions?
Yes. Pre-tax 401(k) reduces federal taxable income but not FICA wages. Section 125 contributions (HSA, qualifying health premiums, FSA) reduce both federal taxable income and FICA wages. Enter HSA and health premiums in the 'Other pre-tax' field for accurate results.
How are bonuses taxed in Texas?
Federally, bonuses are 'supplemental wages' — your employer typically withholds at a flat 22% (37% above $1M YTD). Texas adds nothing on top. See our dedicated Texas Bonus Tax Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
I'm self-employed in Texas — is this calculator right for me?
Use the Texas 1099 Tax Calculator instead. Self-employed Texans owe the full 15.3% FICA equivalent (called SE tax) on 92.35% of net earnings, plus federal income tax. Half of SE tax is deductible above-the-line.
Are the brackets actually for 2026?
Yes. We use IRS-projected 2026 brackets with inflation adjustments rolled forward from the 2025 figures, the projected 2026 standard deduction, and the projected Social Security wage base. We update again as soon as the IRS publishes Rev. Proc. confirming actual 2026 numbers.