Editorial Policy

This page describes how wagestate collects tax data, computes results, and corrects errors.

Data sourcing

Every tax figure comes from primary sources: the IRS for federal brackets, FICA rates, and standard deductions, and each state's official tax agency for state brackets and deductions. Each state's data file records the exact source URL and the retrieval date, summarized on every state page next to its tax table (Tax year · Source · Retrieved); the consolidated source list is maintained in the project repository at src/data/tax/SOURCES.md and is not shipped with the site.

Current data was retrieved between 2026-10-03 and 2026-10-03 for tax year 2026.

Calculation method

All figures are computed with one annualization engine: hourly wage × 40 hours × pay periods per year, minus the standard deduction, through the official progressive brackets, plus FICA (Social Security 6.2% up to the wage base, Medicare 1.45%). Results are divided back into per-period amounts. The engine is deterministic and covered by automated tests, including anchor cases cross-checked by hand against IRS worksheets.

What is excluded

Estimates assume the standard deduction and no credits or pre-tax contributions. The special deductions introduced by the 2025 tax law (OBBBA) — tips, overtime, senior bonus, car-loan interest — are excluded because they require inputs this calculator does not collect. Local taxes outside New York City are noted on relevant state pages but not calculated.

Corrections

If a rate looks wrong, email support@wagestate.com with the state and the figure you expected. We verify against the official agency page, fix the data file, and the correction ships with the next build — every page shows its "Last updated" date.