What the calculator does
A full annualized paycheck estimate.
- Hourly or salary pay with weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly periods.
- 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction for single or married filing jointly.
- Social Security up to the 2026 wage base and Medicare, or none when the student exemption applies.
- A flat state income tax percentage you set.
- Pre-tax 401(k) as a percentage and a pre-tax health premium per paycheck.
- The extra take-home the FICA exemption produces.
The FICA exemption
Under Internal Revenue Code section 3121(b)(19), wages of qualifying F-1, J-1 and M-1 students working under their status are generally exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax for their first five calendar years as nonresident aliens. Eligibility depends on status and residency for tax purposes, so confirm yours with your school, employer and a tax professional.
Worked example
At $55 an hour, 40 hours a week, bi-weekly pay, single, 5% state tax, no 401(k) and a $150 health premium per paycheck, net pay is about $3,100 per paycheck. If the FICA exemption applies, take-home rises by roughly $8,400 a year.
Limits
This is an annualized estimate. Withholding is not the same as final tax owed, nonresident and resident aliens differ in some rules, and state brackets and local taxes are not modeled. Not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do H1B holders pay FICA?
Yes. H1B workers are generally subject to Social Security and Medicare tax. The student exemption is for qualifying F-1, J-1 and M-1 status.
Does CPT get the same treatment as OPT?
Both are work under student status, so the FICA exemption may apply to either. Confirm with your school and employer.