The amount of tax taken from your paycheck depends on several factors including your income level, filing status, and the tax year. For 2025, federal income tax is withheld based on progressive tax brackets, meaning the tax rate increases as your income rises.
Federal Income Tax Brackets for 2025
- For single filers , the tax rates range from 10% on income up to $11,925, increasing through brackets up to 37% on income over $626,350.
- For married filing jointly , rates start at 10% for income up to $23,850 and go up to 37% for income over $751,600.
- For head of household , the 10% bracket applies up to $17,000, rising to 37% for income above $626,350
Standard Deduction
The IRS raised the standard deduction for 2025 to $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples filing jointly. This reduces your taxable income, thereby lowering the amount of tax withheld
Other Payroll Taxes
Besides federal income tax, your paycheck will also have Social Security tax withheld at 6.2% on income up to $147,000 and Medicare tax at 1.45%, with an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax for higher earners
How Tax Is Withheld
Employers withhold federal income tax from each paycheck based on your W-4 form, which you fill out when you start a job or after major life changes. The withholding amount is calculated using IRS tax tables considering your filing status, income, and allowances
Summary
- Your paycheck is reduced by federal income tax withheld according to your income and filing status.
- Social Security and Medicare taxes are also deducted.
- The exact tax withheld depends on your earnings, tax bracket, and W-4 information.
- State and local taxes may also apply, varying by location
To estimate your take-home pay after taxes, you can use online paycheck calculators that factor in all these variables for the current tax year
