This Pennsylvania paycheck calculator estimates your 2026 take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, Pennsylvania’s flat 3.07% income tax, your local earned income tax and the small PA unemployment contribution.
Pennsylvania payroll taxes in 2026
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 3.07% flat, with no standard deduction or personal exemption |
| Local earned income tax (EIT) | Set by your municipality and school district, often around 1%; Philadelphia has its own wage tax |
| Unemployment compensation (employee share) | 0.07% of all wages |
| Local services tax | Up to $52 a year in many municipalities |
401(k) contributions are taxed in Pennsylvania. Unlike the federal government and most states, Pennsylvania does not let you deduct 401(k) deferrals from state taxable wages, so the calculator keeps them in the PA tax base.
2026 federal taxes on every paycheck
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 | $0 – $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 | $24,801 – $100,800 | $17,701 – $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 | $100,801 – $211,400 | $67,451 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 | $211,401 – $403,550 | $105,701 – $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,776 – $256,225 | $403,551 – $512,450 | $201,751 – $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,226 – $640,600 | $512,451 – $768,700 | $256,201 – $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 |
The 2026 federal standard deduction is $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly and $24,150 head of household. Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500, and Medicare is 1.45% of all wages plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000.
Worked example
A single employee earning $75,000, paid every two weeks, with 5% going to a 401(k) and $2,400 a year in pre-tax health premiums in Pennsylvania takes home about $2,075.84 per paycheck, or $53,972 a year (using the local rate shown in the calculator).
Finding your local tax rate
Your employer withholds the higher of your home municipality’s resident rate or the non-resident rate where you work. Look up your rates with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Municode lookup, or check your pay stub, and enter the total in the calculator.
How to raise your take-home pay
- Check your federal Form W-4 and Pennsylvania withholding form so you are not over-withheld.
- Use pre-tax benefits such as a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account.
- Remember that 401(k) contributions lower your paycheck today but also lower your taxable income.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pennsylvania state income tax rate for 2026?
A flat 3.07% on taxable compensation, with no brackets or standard deduction.
Are 401(k) contributions taxed in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania includes employee 401(k) deferrals in state taxable wages, although they still reduce federal taxable income.
Do I pay local income tax in Pennsylvania?
Almost all Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts levy an earned income tax, commonly around 1% combined. Philadelphia levies its own, higher wage tax.
How do I change my withholding?
Give your employer a new federal Form W-4 and, if needed, a new Pennsylvania withholding certificate. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you choose the right entries.
Related calculators
Sources
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- PA DCED: Local income tax information
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 federal brackets)
Last reviewed: October 2026. For information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates.