Chicago Paycheck Calculator

Yes, the calculator is updated with projected 2026 Federal tax brackets, standard deductions, and the 2026 Illinois flat tax rate of 4.95%.

Illinois is a flat-tax state. Unlike the federal government, Illinois taxes all income at the same percentage, regardless of how much you earn, after allowances.

Yes. You can enter your transit costs in the “Pre-Tax Deductions” section. The calculator correctly exempts this amount from Federal, State, and FICA taxes up to the federal limit (approx. $340/mo for 2026).

The calculator is optimized for Illinois taxes. If you work in Indiana, you may be subject to Indiana withholding. This tool is best for Illinois residents working in Illinois.

Enter your contribution percentage. The calculator deducts this from your gross pay before calculating Federal and State income tax, lowering your tax liability.

The calculator uses the projected 2026 Social Security wage base of approximately $184,500. Earnings above this amount are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax.

While it calculates taxes, not legality, users should ensure their hourly rate input meets the Chicago minimum wage (approx. $16.60+ in 2026) for accurate estimation of standard earnings.

Check your federal withholding settings. 2026 tax brackets are indexed, but if you have few deductions and high income, federal tax can be significant. Also, ensure you included all pre-tax benefits like health insurance.

Yes. Selecting “Head of Household” adjusts the Federal Standard Deduction and tax brackets in the calculation, usually resulting in lower federal tax withholding.

No. Chicago does not have a specific city income tax on wages. The calculator only deducts Illinois state tax and Federal taxes.

For a bonus, you can run a separate calculation. Note that bonuses are often withheld at a flat 22% Federal rate and 4.95% Illinois rate.

Yes, the calculator applies the standard Illinois basic exemption allowance logic to reduce your state taxable income.

Yes. Select “Married” in the Filing Status dropdown. This adjusts the federal tax rates and standard deduction to the married brackets.

You can enter this dollar amount in the “Additional Withholding” field. The calculator will subtract this specific amount from your Net Pay and add it to your Federal Tax total.