The Wisconsin paycheck calculator helps you estimate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes are subtracted.
How to Use the Wisconsin Paycheck Calculator
The Wisconsin Paycheck Calculator helps you figure out how much money you actually take home after taxes. It does this by looking at your income, how you normally get paid, and the taxes you owe to both the federal government and the state of Wisconsin.
Pay Frequency
Start by choosing how often you get paid. This is called your “pay frequency.” You can get paid by the hour, each day, every week, every two weeks, twice a month, once a month, or once a year. This paycheck calculator uses this information to break down your yearly pay into smaller amounts so it can show what you earn and what is taken out each time you get paid.
Gross Yearly Salary
Next, enter your gross yearly salary. This is the total amount of money you earn in a year before any taxes or deductions are removed. For example, if your job pays $57,000 a year, that number should go into the salary box. Make sure to type in the full amount without any commas or dollar signs.
Filing Status
After that, choose your filing status. This tells the calculator how your taxes are figured out. If you are single and not married, choose “Single.” If you’re married and file taxes with your partner, choose “Married Filing Jointly.” If you are not married but support a child or other people in your household, you may pick “Head of Household.” Your filing status helps the calculator apply the right tax rates and deductions.
Results Breakdown
Once you enter your details, the calculator shows you the results. It will display the amount of federal income tax you owe, which is what the national government takes from your paycheck. It will also show your Wisconsin state income tax, which goes to the state.
You’ll also see how much is taken out for Social Security, which helps people in retirement, and Medicare, which helps pay for health care when people get older. Finally, the calculator shows your net salary, which is the amount of money you actually take home and can use.
A colorful chart at the bottom shows how your income is divided between taxes and your take-home pay, making it easy to understand.
Key Terms in the Calculator
Gross Salary
This is your full pay before taxes. It does not include any deductions. It is the starting point for all calculations.
Net Salary
This is the amount of money you get to keep after all the taxes are taken out. It is also called “take-home pay.”
Federal Income Tax
This tax is paid to the federal government. The more money you make, the higher the percentage you pay. This calculator uses 2025 tax rates based on how much money you earn and your filing status.
State Income Tax (Wisconsin)
This is the tax you pay to the state of Wisconsin. It also depends on how much you earn. Wisconsin has four different tax rates, and the more you earn, the higher your tax rate.
Social Security and Medicare
These are two types of payroll taxes. Social Security is taken out at a rate of 6.2% of your pay (up to a certain income limit). Medicare is taken out at 1.45% with no income limit. Both of these help pay for government programs for older or disabled people.
Wisconsin Tax Overview (2025)
Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax system. This means that people who earn more money pay a higher percentage in taxes. For example, someone making a small income might only pay 3.50%, while someone earning a high income might pay up to 7.65%.
Your exact rate depends on how much taxable income you have after subtracting the standard deduction. Your filing status, whether you’re single, married, or head of household, also affects the tax brackets used.
The calculator uses the latest 2025 Wisconsin tax brackets to estimate what you owe. It assumes that your state taxable income is similar to your federal taxable income, which is common for most workers.
2025 Federal Income Tax Brackets
These tax brackets apply after subtracting the standard deduction:
- $15,000 for Single
- $30,000 for Married Filing Jointly
- $22,500 for Head of Household
Single Filers
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 |
| 12% | $11,926 – $48,475 |
| 22% | $48,476 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,525 |
| 35% | $250,526 – $626,350 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 |
Married Filing Jointly
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $23,850 |
| 12% | $23,851 – $96,950 |
| 22% | $96,951 – $206,700 |
| 24% | $206,701 – $394,600 |
| 32% | $394,601 – $501,050 |
| 35% | $501,051 – $751,600 |
| 37% | Over $751,600 |
Head of Household
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $17,000 |
| 12% | $17,001 – $64,850 |
| 22% | $64,851 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,500 |
| 35% | $250,501 – $626,350 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 |
2025 Wisconsin State Income Tax Brackets
Wisconsin also uses a progressive system, which means higher incomes are taxed at higher percentages. These apply after subtracting the federal standard deduction.
Single Filers
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 3.50% | $0 – $13,810 |
| 4.65% | $13,811 – $27,630 |
| 5.30% | $27,631 – $304,170 |
| 7.65% | Over $304,170 |
Married Filing Jointly
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 3.50% | $0 – $18,420 |
| 4.65% | $18,421 – $36,840 |
| 5.30% | $36,841 – $405,550 |
| 7.65% | Over $405,550 |
Head of Household
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 3.50% | $0 – $17,010 |
| 4.65% | $17,011 – $34,020 |
| 5.30% | $34,021 – $373,740 |
| 7.65% | Over $373,740 |
Visual Guide: Federal vs. State Tax Brackets (Single Filers)
Below is a side-by-side chart to help you see how your income is split into different tax rates by both the federal and state governments.
Summary
This calculator takes your yearly income and subtracts federal and state taxes, along with Social Security and Medicare. It then shows you how much money you actually take home. It’s useful for budgeting, planning, or just understanding where your paycheck goes. By entering your pay frequency, salary, and filing status, you get a quick look at what’s left after taxes in Wisconsin.