How it works
A Texas paycheck has three taxes taken out, all federal. The calculator takes your gross pay for one pay period, subtracts the pre-tax deductions you entered, and works out each one. Federal income tax follows the percentage method in IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods, using your W-4 entries. Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 for the year (SSA; IRS Publication 15 (2026)). Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, plus Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% on wages over $200,000 (IRS Publication 15 (2026)).
Texas does not tax wages at the state level, and Texas cities and counties do not levy a local income tax (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2026). Texas has no state disability or paid family leave deduction from employee pay. State unemployment tax is paid by employers to the Texas Workforce Commission and is not taken from your paycheck.
Because federal tax is the only income tax, the federal line carries more weight on a Texas paycheck than in most states: your W-4 filing status and Step 3 and Step 4 entries account for most of the difference between two workers with the same pay.
Not included: employer-paid taxes, after-tax deductions such as Roth 401(k) or union dues, garnishments, bonuses and other supplemental wages, tips, and any refund or balance due when you file your federal return. Your employer's payroll may round differently.
Worked example
Take a $60,000 salary paid biweekly, filing single, with no other W-4 entries and no deductions. Gross pay is $60,000 divided by 26 paychecks, which is $2,307.69. Federal withholding under Pub 15-T, using the single-filer annual table, is $193.08. Social Security is $143.08 and Medicare is $33.46. Texas state income tax is $0.00, since Texas does not tax wages. Take-home pay is $1,938.07 per paycheck, or $50,389.82 over the year's 26 paychecks.
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas have state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wages or other personal income, so no state income tax is withheld from a Texas paycheck (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts).
How much is taken out of a paycheck in Texas?
Only federal amounts: income tax withholding under IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%. With the $60,000 example above, they come to 16.0% of gross pay.
Do Texas cities like Houston or Dallas have a local income tax?
No. Houston, Dallas, Austin and other Texas cities and counties do not levy a local income tax, so a Texas pay stub has no local tax line.
Is there a Texas payroll tax on employees?
No. Texas unemployment tax is paid by employers to the Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas has no employee-paid disability or family leave program.
Why is my Texas paycheck lower than this estimate?
Common reasons are health premiums, 401(k) or Roth contributions, or W-4 entries not entered here. Open "More deductions" and add them to match your pay stub.