The Louisiana Paycheck Calculator is an on-page tool that estimates an employee’s periodic take-home pay in Louisiana by annualizing gross pay, applying pre-tax contributions, estimating federal income tax (using current IRS bracket progressions and standard deductions), withholding Social Security and Medicare (FICA) at statutory rates, and applying Louisiana’s state income tax withholding — then returning per-period net pay and an interactive Plotly chart that visualizes the deduction breakdown.

Why this calculator exists (and what it does)

Understanding what you actually take home after taxes and pre-tax contributions is essential for budgeting, negotiating salary, and planning savings. This calculator converts a single pay-period gross amount (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, monthly, or annual) into an estimated take-home pay, showing how much is withheld for federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Louisiana state tax. It also produces a clear visual breakdown so you can instantly see where your pay goes.

What tax rules and numbers it uses (short explanation)

To produce a useful estimate, the tool uses:

• Louisiana state rate: Louisiana implemented a flat 3% individual income tax for taxable periods beginning January 1, 2025; the calculator applies that flat rate to the employee’s LA taxable wages for an estimate. revenue.louisiana.gov+1
• FICA: Social Security withheld at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45% (employee shares), with Social Security applied up to the annual wage base limit. IRS+1
• Federal tax: The calculator estimates federal income tax using progressive marginal brackets and the standard deduction values published by the IRS for recent years (standard deduction amounts and bracket structure are applied per filing status). This gives an estimate of annual federal tax, which is converted to a per-period withholding. IRS+1

Note: payroll withholding rules (especially federal and state supplemental/allowance details) and local taxes can affect exact per-paycheck withholdings. This calculator is intended for quick estimates and planning — payroll departments use official withholding tables and payroll software for precise paycheck calculations.

How to use the calculator — step by step

1. Enter your gross pay for a single pay period. If you receive $2,000 every two weeks, enter 2000 and select Biweekly. The calculator annualizes the amount based on the selected frequency.
2. Choose pay frequency. The calculator supports weekly (×52), biweekly (×26), semi-monthly (×24), monthly (×12) and annually (×1). Use the option that matches your pay schedule.
3. Select your filing status. Choose Single, Married filing jointly, or Head of household. The calculator applies the standard deduction appropriate for that status when estimating federal taxable income. IRS
4. Optional — add pre-tax contributions. If you contribute to a pre-tax retirement plan (401(k), 403(b)) or HSA, enter the per-period amount. The tool subtracts that amount from taxable wages before calculating federal and payroll taxes, which reflects how pre-tax contributions reduce taxable income.
5. Optional — add extra federal withholding. If you want to withhold an extra amount from each paycheck for federal taxes, add it here. This is helpful when you expect additional tax liabilities and want to avoid underpayment.
6. Click Calculate. The tool shows: net pay per period, total taxes per period, and annualized net. The Plotly chart displays a visual split (Net vs Federal vs SS vs Medicare vs Louisiana). Hover on chart segments for amounts.

What the chart shows and how to interpret it

The Plotly pie chart gives a quick glance at your net pay vs. each withholding category. Hover over slices to see the dollar value and percentage. Use the visual to identify whether federal or payroll taxes are the biggest drain and to test scenarios (e.g., increasing pre-tax retirement savings shrinks taxable income and may increase net savings over time).

Accuracy and limitations

• Estimates only: This tool approximates federal withholding using marginal rates and standard deduction figures; actual payroll withholding may differ because employers use IRS Form W-4 allowances/withholding tables or percentage methods. IRS
• Louisiana: With the 2025 change to a flat 3% rate, the calculator uses that flat rate for an estimate; consult the Louisiana Department of Revenue or your payroll provider for any special withholding rules or exemptions. revenue.louisiana.gov+1
• FICA caps: Social Security withholding is capped at an annual wage base (applies in the calculator when annualized wages exceed the limit). Medicare surtaxes (for very high earners) are not modeled beyond the basic 1.45% employee rate. IRS+1
• Local taxes & voluntary deductions: City or parish taxes, union dues, garnishments, or employer-side contributions are not included.

Practical scenarios to try

• Negotiating a raise: Enter your current and proposed gross pay to see the net difference per paycheck.
• 401(k) planning: Add a pre-tax contribution and see how your take-home changes — a great way to visualize the tax-advantaged benefit of retirement contributions.
• Budgeting: Enter actual pay and simulate monthly expenses against your net pay.

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FAQ

Q1: Is the calculator using the latest Louisiana rate?
A: Yes — it applies the Louisiana flat 3% individual income tax that took effect for taxable periods beginning January 1, 2025, per Louisiana Department of Revenue guidance. For precise payroll withholding rules refer to official LA withholding tables. revenue.louisiana.gov+1

Q2: Does it include Social Security and Medicare?
A: Yes. It calculates Social Security at 6.2% (employee portion) up to the Social Security wage base and Medicare at 1.45% of wages. It does not include the additional 0.9% Medicare surtax that can apply above certain thresholds. IRS+1

Q3: Are federal taxes exact?
A: No — federal tax is estimated using marginal tax brackets and the standard deduction for the filing status selected. Exact withholding depends on your W-4, other income, credits, and payroll practice. For precise federal withholding consult IRS resources or payroll professionals. IRS+1

Q4: Can I use this for year-end tax planning?
A: It’s a good planning tool, but for year-end tax filing or precise tax payments, use professional tax software or consult a tax advisor because the calculator does not model itemized deductions, tax credits, or non-wage income.

Q5: Where do the tax numbers come from?
A: Key references include the Louisiana Department of Revenue (state rate and withholding tables), IRS publications for federal brackets and standard deductions, and Social Security Administration / IRS resources for FICA rules.