Wisconsin Hourly Paycheck Calculator

Wisconsin payroll taxes

A typical Wisconsin paycheck includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Wisconsin state income tax. Municipalities generally do not levy employee local wage/income taxes. Employers fund Wisconsin unemployment insurance (SUTA), FUTA, workers’ compensation where applicable, and must keep required notices and records. Pretax benefits—401(k)/403(b)/457(b), HSA, FSA, commuter/transit, and Section 125 insurance—can reduce taxable wages when plan-eligible.

• Employee (federal): Income tax (IRS W-4), Social Security, Medicare, Additional Medicare for high earners.
• Employee (state): Wisconsin withholding (WT-4 elections/credits).
• Local (employee): No municipal wage tax in Wisconsin.
• Employer: WI SUTA; FUTA; workers’ comp; required postings/recordkeeping.
• Pretax deductions: May lower federal/state taxable wages and, when eligible, FICA.

How Your Wisconsin Paycheck Works

Your net starts with gross hourly wages (regular, overtime, tips, differentials, bonuses). Subtract pretax deductions; then apply FICA and federal income tax. Wisconsin state withholding is calculated on WI-taxable wages using your WT-4 elections. The calculator itemizes hours, rates, taxable wages, withholdings, deductions, credits, and final take-home.

• Inputs: Hourly rate, hours, overtime, tips, pay frequency, filing status, dependents/credits, WI residency, deductions.
• Outputs: Line-by-line FICA, federal, WI income tax, benefits, and net pay.
• Supplemental wages: Compare flat vs. aggregate federal methods; WI withholding applies to bonuses/commissions.

Wisconsin Income unemployment tax rate — 10 Years (Employer SUTA)

Replace placeholders with official Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development figures (taxable wage base, experience-rated range, and new-employer rate) before publishing.

Wisconsin salary threshold

Wisconsin follows FLSA and state rules. Exempt status requires passing the duties tests and meeting the applicable salary-basis threshold; job titles alone don’t create exemption. Confirm WI minimum wage, tip-credit/service-charge rules, youth wage provisions, and any industry-specific standards when classifying roles and computing overtime.

Median Household Income: Wisconsin — 10 Years

Insert the latest U.S. Census/ACS one-year (or five-year) Wisconsin estimates before publishing.

Wisconsin Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

FICA is federal and applies in Wisconsin: employees pay Social Security and Medicare; employers match both. Above a federal threshold, Additional Medicare is withheld from employees (no employer match). Eligible pretax benefits (e.g., Section 125 health premiums) can reduce FICA-taxable wages depending on plan rules.

Number of cities that have local income taxes

50-word description: Wisconsin municipalities do not impose employee local income/wage taxes. Paychecks show federal withholding, FICA, and Wisconsin state income tax—no city wage-tax line. Some localities assess employer business or license fees unrelated to wages. Multistate commuters could face other jurisdictions’ wage taxes; always confirm residence and worksite rules before estimating take-home pay.

Illustrative Wisconsin local wage/income tax table (verify current rules before use)

Wisconsin Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency

• Overtime: Most non-exempt workers earn 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours/week (FLSA baseline; Wisconsin has no separate daily OT rule).
• Pay frequency: Employers must pay on a regular schedule (commonly biweekly or semimonthly) and provide itemized wage statements.
• Minimum wage/tips: Wisconsin sets minimum wage and tipped wage rules with tip-credit—verify current thresholds and required employer notices.

Additional Wisconsin forms

• IRS Form W-4 (federal withholding elections).
• Wisconsin Form WT-4 (Employee’s Wisconsin Withholding Exemption Certificate).
• Form I-9 employment eligibility; WI new-hire reporting.
• Direct deposit authorization; benefits enrollment (401(k), HSA, FSA, transit, insurance).
• Wisconsin unemployment (employer) account registration; required workplace posters.

FAQs about the Wisconsin Hourly Paycheck Calculator

How do I use the Wisconsin Hourly Paycheck Calculator?

Enter hourly rate, hours, overtime, tips, pay frequency, filing status, dependents/credits, WI residency, and deductions. The calculator applies FICA, federal, and WI income tax to produce a clear, line-by-line net estimate.

Does Wisconsin deduct local city taxes from paychecks?

No. Wisconsin does not impose municipal wage taxes on employees. Your check reflects federal taxes, FICA, WI state withholding, and your deductions.

Which form controls my Wisconsin state withholding?

Form WT-4 controls WI state withholding (paired with IRS W-4 for federal). Update after life changes so your withholding stays accurate.

How should I enter overtime, shift differentials, tips, and bonuses?

Enter overtime at 1.5× when eligible; add differentials/tips; enter bonuses as supplemental wages so federal and WI methods compute correctly.

Why did my Wisconsin paycheck change this period?

Common reasons: variable hours/tips, overtime, bonuses (supplemental method), updated W-4/WT-4 elections, benefit changes, or annual tax-table updates. Compare current vs. prior stubs line by line.

Does the calculator work for nonresidents working in Wisconsin?

Yes. WI withholding generally applies to WI-sourced wages for nonresidents. Your home state may offer credits—verify filing requirements and any reciprocity rules.

Can pretax benefits increase my take-home?

Yes. Eligible pretax deductions—401(k)/403(b)/457(b), HSA, FSA, commuter, and certain insurance—reduce taxable wages and may lower income tax and, when eligible, FICA.

How are tips treated in Wisconsin paycheck calculations?

Reported tips are taxable for federal, FICA, and WI income tax. Include cash and charged tips to ensure correct withholding and tip-credit compliance.

How do multiple jobs affect my withholding?

Use the IRS multiple-jobs guidance on your W-4 and ensure your WT-4 reflects your situation. Model each job separately to avoid under-withholding across employers.

What is Additional Medicare tax and when does it apply?

Above a federal wage threshold, employers must withhold Additional Medicare from the employee’s pay (no employer match). It appears alongside regular Medicare on your stub.

Are bonuses and commissions taxed differently?

They’re supplemental wages. Employers may use a flat federal supplemental method or aggregate with regular wages; WI withholding applies either way. Enter amounts separately to compare methods.

What do people ask on Google about the Wisconsin Hourly Paycheck Calculator?

“How much is my Wisconsin paycheck after taxes?” “Why no city tax on my stub?” “How to fill WT-4?” “Do 401(k)/HSA/FSA increase net?” “How to model a bonus precisely?”

What do Reddit users commonly discuss about Wisconsin paycheck estimates?

“Moved from a city-tax state—why did my net change?” “Overtime vs. second job after WI tax?” “Best pretax mix to raise net?” “Flat vs. aggregate bonus withholding?” “Weekly vs. biweekly differences?”

What do people ask on Quora regarding WI hourly pay calculators?

“Estimate take-home before accepting a job in Milwaukee vs. Madison?” “Gross vs. taxable vs. net?” “How W-4 and WT-4 interact?” “How do tips and commissions affect Wisconsin taxes?”