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Payroll & Time Tracking

Tools and guides for calculating paychecks, tracking pay periods, managing overtime, and understanding payroll taxes

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Managing Your Payroll

Whether you're an employee trying to understand your paycheck or a small business owner processing payroll, these tools handle the math. Start with the Pay Period Calculator to understand your pay schedule, then use the Paycheck Calculator to estimate your take-home pay after taxes and deductions.

Understanding Your Pay Schedule

The most common pay frequencies are biweekly (26 paychecks per year) and semi-monthly (24 paychecks per year). A $65,000 salary pays $2,500 biweekly or $2,708 semi-monthly. Biweekly schedules give you two months with three paychecks — a budgeting advantage many employees prefer. Read our guide to calculating pay periods for worked examples.

Payroll Tax Obligations

Employers and employees each pay 7.65% in FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare) on wages up to $168,600 (2026 cap). Use the Payroll Tax Calculator to see exact obligations. Self-employed individuals pay both halves (15.3%) but deduct the employer portion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many biweekly pay periods are there in 2026?

There are 26 biweekly pay periods in 2026. Depending on your employer's start date, you may see 2 months with 3 paychecks.

What is the difference between biweekly and semi-monthly pay?

Biweekly pay occurs every 2 weeks (26 times per year). Semi-monthly pay occurs on the 1st and 15th (24 times per year). Biweekly paychecks are smaller but you get 2 extra per year.

How do I calculate my paycheck from annual salary?

Divide your annual salary by the number of pay periods. For biweekly: salary ÷ 26. For semi-monthly: salary ÷ 24. For monthly: salary ÷ 12. Then subtract taxes and deductions for net pay.

What payroll taxes do employers pay?

Employers pay 7.65% in FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare), plus federal and state unemployment insurance (FUTA/SUTA). Total employer payroll tax burden is typically 10-15% of wages.