Payroll, Tax & Compensation Guides
Practical guides to hourly pay, paycheck deductions, bonuses, and overtime. Each guide explains its assumptions and links to the public rules behind the examples. Estimates do not include every credit, deduction, or payroll rule.
These guides use public IRS, Social Security Administration, and Department of Labor sources. Calculator results are planning estimates; payroll withholding, state rules, and individual tax returns can differ. See the source links within each guide.
How to Convert Hourly Pay to Annual Salary (2026)
Learn how to convert hourly pay to annual salary. Calculate standard 2,080-hour schedules, overtime impact, PTO, and benefits valuation.
Understanding Paycheck Taxes, FICA & Deductions (2026)
Every deduction on a paycheck: 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA limits, Form W-4 withholding, and pre-tax benefits.
FLSA Overtime Pay Rules: Calculation Methods, Exemptions & Legal Standards
FLSA overtime pay: time-and-a-half calculations, what counts toward your regular rate, and exempt vs non-exempt rules.
How Bonuses Are Taxed in 2026: Supplemental Withholding vs. Actual Tax
Why bonus withholding differs from the tax you owe: the IRS 22% flat method, the aggregate method, and how it settles on your return.
1099 Contractor vs W-2 Employee: True Take-Home Pay, Taxes & Breakeven
Compare 1099 independent contractor and W-2 employee compensation. Understand self-employment tax, billable hours, benefits, and the limits of rate multipliers.
2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets, Rates & Standard Deductions
2026 federal income tax brackets and standard deductions for single and joint filers, plus how marginal and effective rates differ.
FICA Payroll Taxes Explained: Social Security & Medicare
Detailed guide on 2026 FICA payroll taxes: 6.2% Social Security with $184,500 wage base cap, 1.45% Medicare, and the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax.
How to Fill Out Form W-4 in 2026: Complete Withholding Guide
Step-by-step instructions for completing the IRS Form W-4 in 2026 to ensure accurate paycheck tax withholding and avoid tax penalties.
Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees: FLSA Overtime Rights & Salary Thresholds
Understand FLSA overtime rules: salary thresholds, job duties tests, exempt vs non-exempt status, and legal overtime rights for salaried workers.
How Paid Time Off (PTO) Cash-Outs Are Taxed (2026)
How unused PTO and vacation payouts are taxed as supplemental wages, the optional 22% method, and why a refund isn't guaranteed.
Shift Differential & Premium Pay Guide (2026)
Guide to shift differential pay: 2nd and 3rd shift premiums, legal FLSA regular rate overtime calculations, and percentage-based and flat hourly premiums.
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay: Understanding Your Take-Home Pay (2026)
Understand the complete bridge between gross salary and net pay: pre-tax benefits, federal taxes, FICA, state deductions, and worked take-home examples.
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SalarySteps explains the formulas and assumptions behind its estimates. Calculators run in your browser. Read our full editorial standards and our calculation methodology.