The following are the IRS definitions of each filing status: File Status As a side note, pay periods have no effect on tax liability. An employer cannot pay an employee bi-weekly one month, then monthly the next. Certain states have specific pay frequency requirements, but federal laws only dictate that the payment schedule be predictable. In general, employees like to be paid more frequently due to psychological factors, and employers like to pay less frequently due to the costs associated with increased payment frequency. While a person on a bi-weekly payment schedule will receive two paychecks for ten months out of the year, they will receive three paychecks for the remaining two months. Also, a bi-weekly payment frequency generates two more paychecks a year (26 compared to 24 for semi-monthly). For the purposes of this calculator, bi-weekly payments occur every other week (though, in some cases, it can be used to mean twice a week). It is important to make the distinction between bi-weekly and semi-monthly, even though they may seem similar at first glance. Pay on specified dates twice a month, usually on the fifteenth and thirtieth. Pay every other week, generally on the same day each pay period.

Pay each week, generally on the same day each pay period.

For instance, a person who lives paycheck-to-paycheck can calculate how much they will have available to pay next month's rent and expenses by using their take-home-paycheck amount.įigures entered into 'Your Annual Income (Salary)' should be the before-tax amount, and the result shown in 'Final Paycheck' is the after-tax amount (including deductions). However, in the context of personal finance, the more practical figure is after-tax income (sometimes referred to as disposable income or net income) because it is the figure that is actually disbursed. This is because it is the raw income figure before other factors are applied, such as federal income tax, allowances, or health insurance deductions, all of which vary from person to person. For instance, it is the form of income required on mortgage applications, is used to determine tax brackets, and is used when comparing salaries. In the U.S., the concept of personal income or salary usually references the before-tax amount, called gross pay. Related Income Tax Calculator | Budget Calculator Are you self-employed or an independent contractor?

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