Second job tax calculator
Enter the annual pay from each of two jobs. The estimate stacks the 2026 federal brackets, applies Medicare to every dollar of both, and shows the Social Security each employer withholds against the 184500 wage base. For a single-job W-4, use the federal withholding calculator.
How the stack works
Federal tax is computed on combined income. The second job's share is the combined tax minus the tax on job 1 alone, which is exactly its marginal cost including any bracket it climbs into.
Each employer withholds 6.2% for Social Security against the 184500 wage base on its own payroll. Combined wages under the base means correct withholding once; combined wages over the base mean some Social Security was withheld twice and is recovered on the annual return.
Medicare has no cap and no employer coordination, so 1.45% comes out of every dollar at both jobs, plus 0.9% on wages above 200000.
This page uses single-filer 2026 brackets and prices federal tax and FICA only. State income tax, dependents, credits and W-4 step 2 elections are out of scope (irs.gov/taxtopics/tc753).
Common questions
Will my second job push me into a higher tax bracket?
Possibly, because the second job fills whatever room is left in your current bracket and then spills into the next one. Only the dollars above each bracket line pay the higher rate, so the extra cost is the marginal rate on the overflow, not the higher rate on all your income.
Why did both employers withhold Social Security tax?
Each employer applies the 6.2% employee rate to its own wages until its own year-to-date pay passes the 184500 wage base. Neither employer knows your other job. If combined wages stay under the base you paid the correct amount once; if they pass it, you overpaid and claim the excess back on your return.
Does this page include state tax or a second W-4?
No. It prices federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. State income tax on the second job and Form W-4 step 2 withholding elections are separate; use the federal withholding calculator to tune what job 2 withholds.