Estimate an Arizona Paycheck Without Guessing the Deductions
Calculate take-home pay for hourly wages or annual salary using the 2026 federal percentage method, Arizona Form A-4 withholding, Social Security, Medicare, overtime, benefits, extra withholding, and year-to-date FICA wages.
Arizona Hourly and Salary Paycheck Calculator
Start with the fields visible below. Open the federal W-4 and year-to-date section only when those details apply. The estimate is for a representative paycheck, not a tax return.
3. Federal Form W-4 details
4. Year-to-date FICA wages for a more accurate current check
Enter your details and calculate a representative Arizona paycheck.
Your Result by Weekly, Biweekly, Monthly and Annual Period
This table converts the representative check into budgeting periods. It is most reliable when the same gross pay and deductions repeat throughout the year.
| Period | Estimated gross | Estimated net | How to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | $0.00 | $0.00 | Groceries, fuel, childcare, and hourly budgeting |
| Biweekly | $0.00 | $0.00 | A 26-check employer schedule |
| Semimonthly | $0.00 | $0.00 | Two set pay dates per month |
| Monthly average | $0.00 | $0.00 | Rent, mortgage, and recurring bills |
| Annualized | $0.00 | $0.00 | Offer comparison and savings planning |
How to Get a More Accurate Arizona Paycheck Estimate
Arizona Form A-4: Choose the Paycheck Percentage, Not the Tax Bracket
Form A-4 tells an employer what percentage of Arizona gross taxable wages to withhold. The regular choices are 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, and 3.5%. A separate qualifying exemption route is available for an employee who expects no Arizona income-tax liability.
| A-4 election | Arizona withheld from $2,000 taxable wages | What it means | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% exemption | $0 | A valid exemption certificate is on file | That every worker may elect zero |
| 0.5% | $10 | Lowest regular percentage | That final state liability will be only 0.5% |
| 1.0% | $20 | Lower prepayment | That no balance will be due |
| 1.5% | $30 | Moderate prepayment | That credits and other income are covered |
| 2.0% | $40 | Default if a new employee does not submit A-4 within five days | That 2.0% is the best choice for the employee |
| 2.5% | $50 | Matches the headline individual rate before return adjustments | That taxable wages equal Arizona taxable income |
| 3.0% | $60 | Higher prepayment | That a refund is guaranteed |
| 3.5% | $70 | Highest regular percentage | That extra withholding is never needed |
When to review Form A-4
- You started a new job and payroll used the 2.0% default.
- Your spouse started or stopped work, or household income changed materially.
- You expect significant credits, deductions, nonwage income, or income from more than one state.
- You owed Arizona tax or received a much larger refund than intended.
- Your exemption no longer applies.
After estimating the percentage, complete the official form and give it to the employer rather than sending it to this website. Open Arizona Form A-4 and its instructions.
How the 2026 Federal W-4 Fields Change This Paycheck
The calculator uses the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T automated percentage method. It annualizes taxable wages, adds Step 4(a) other income, subtracts Step 4(b) deductions and the IRS worksheet adjustment when applicable, uses the filing-status table, subtracts Step 3 credits, and finally adds Step 4(c) extra withholding.
| W-4 entry | What to enter | Typical paycheck effect | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1(c) | Single/MFS, MFJ, or Head of Household | Selects a different withholding schedule | Using tax-return status that does not match the current W-4 |
| Step 2 checkbox | Check only when it is checked on the W-4 | Usually increases withholding for multiple-job households | Checking it in the calculator because the employee sometimes works overtime |
| Step 3 | Annual credits written on the form | Reduces withholding across pay periods | Entering a per-paycheck credit instead of the annual amount |
| Step 4(a) | Annual other income entered on W-4 | Increases calculated withholding | Entering annual salary again |
| Step 4(b) | Annual deductions entered on W-4 | Reduces calculated withholding | Entering a 401(k) deduction here and again in the paycheck deduction field |
| Step 4(c) | Extra dollars per paycheck | Adds the same amount to each check’s withholding | Entering an annual amount |
Open the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator after gathering recent pay stubs and the latest tax return.
Arizona Paycheck Mini Tools for Common Next Questions
These tools answer focused follow-up questions without forcing one-time payments or tax-return deductions into the recurring-paycheck calculator.
Hourly to Weekly and Annual Gross
Salary to Hourly Converter
Overtime Gross and Qualified Premium
Form A-4 Withholding Per Check
A-4 Annual Target Helper
One-Time Bonus Paycheck Helper
Net Pay Frequency Converter
Minimum-Wage Gross Check
2026 Minimum Wage, Flagstaff Rate, Overtime and Paid Sick Time
Arizona’s statewide minimum wage is $15.15 per hour beginning January 1, 2026. Flagstaff’s local minimum is $18.35 per hour in 2026, and the city states that covered employees must receive the full local minimum regardless of whether they regularly earn tips.
| Rule | 2026 amount or formula | Who should verify it | What to do on a pay stub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona statewide minimum wage | $15.15/hour | Most covered work outside a higher local rule | Divide straight-time gross by straight-time hours |
| Flagstaff minimum wage | $18.35/hour | Covered employees working enough hours within Flagstaff city limits | Confirm work location and local coverage |
| Federal overtime | Usually 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek | Covered nonexempt employees | Check hours, regular rate, and premium separately |
| Arizona earned paid sick time | At least 1 hour accrued for every 30 hours worked | Covered Arizona employees | Review accrued, used, and available balance |
| Sick-time annual limit | Generally 40 hours for employers with 15+ employees; 24 hours for smaller employers | Workers comparing accrual and use caps | Compare employer size and policy |
“No Tax on Overtime” does not make the whole overtime check tax-free
The federal deduction generally covers qualified overtime compensation above the regular rate—the “half” premium in time-and-a-half required by the FLSA—not the regular-rate portion of overtime wages. Qualified overtime is still part of payroll wages and can still have federal withholding, Arizona withholding, Social Security, and Medicare deducted when paid.
Read the IRS qualified-overtime deduction FAQs after checking whether the overtime is FLSA-required and separately reported.
Tips can still be withheld even when a federal tip deduction may apply
Qualified voluntary cash or charged tips in eligible occupations may support a federal deduction, but reported tips remain payroll income and generally remain subject to Social Security and Medicare. The deduction is claimed under federal tax-return rules; it is not a reason to omit tips from payroll records.
Review the IRS qualified-tips explanation before estimating a tax-return benefit.
Arizona Payday, Final Paycheck and Unpaid-Wage Steps
Arizona law generally requires employers to designate at least two fixed paydays each month, no more than 16 days apart, subject to listed exceptions. Final-pay timing depends on whether the employer discharged the worker or the worker quit.
Wages due are generally payable within seven working days or by the end of the next regular pay period, whichever is sooner.
Wages are generally due in the usual manner no later than the regular payday for the pay period in which termination occurred.
The Industrial Commission states that an unpaid-wage claim must generally be filed within one year from when the claim accrued.
Micro-level checklist before filing a wage claim
Read Arizona’s payday statute, review final-pay timing, and open the Industrial Commission unpaid-wage claim page.
Why the Calculator and Your Arizona Paycheck Do Not Match
Compare the first line that differs. A net-pay mismatch is usually caused upstream by gross wages, taxable wages, W-4 settings, A-4 percentage, FICA year-to-date wages, or benefit treatment.
| What differs | Check first | Likely explanation | Useful payroll question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | Rate, straight-time hours, overtime hours, commission, tips | Timecard, rate, regular-rate, or pay-code issue | “Which hours and rates produced this gross-pay line?” |
| Federal taxable wages | 401(k), health, HSA/FSA, taxable fringe benefits | A benefit reduces some taxes but not others | “Which deductions reduced federal taxable wages?” |
| Federal withholding | W-4 status, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, exempt status | Current W-4 differs from calculator entries | “What W-4 settings are active for this check?” |
| Arizona withholding | A-4 percentage and extra amount | 2.0% default, new form not processed, or taxable-wage difference | “What A-4 percentage and additional amount did payroll use?” |
| Social Security | Year-to-date Social Security wages | The employee reached or is approaching the wage base | “What is my year-to-date Social Security wage total?” |
| Medicare | Medicare wages and $200,000 employer threshold | Additional Medicare withholding began | “How much of this line is regular and Additional Medicare tax?” |
| Net pay only | Post-tax benefits, Roth, garnishment, repayment, dues | A deduction not entered in the calculator | “What authorizes and calculates this deduction?” |
| Bonus check | Combined versus separate supplemental method | Payroll aggregated the bonus with regular wages | “Was the bonus withheld separately or aggregated?” |
How Common Deductions Affect Federal, Arizona and FICA Wages
The exact plan document controls. The table is a classification guide for calculator entry, not a substitute for the employer’s benefit or payroll records.
| Typical deduction | Federal/Arizona income-tax wages | Social Security/Medicare wages | Calculator approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional 401(k) | Often reduced | Usually not reduced | Choose “income-tax wages only” |
| Qualified Section 125 medical premium | Often reduced | Often reduced | Choose “also reduce FICA” when the plan confirms |
| HSA through payroll | May be reduced | May be reduced when made through a cafeteria plan | Confirm the pay-stub tax treatment |
| Roth 401(k) | Usually not reduced | Usually not reduced | Enter as post-tax |
| Garnishment or child support | Usually not reduced | Usually not reduced | Enter as post-tax |
| After-tax insurance or dues | Usually not reduced | Usually not reduced | Enter as post-tax |
Official Arizona and Federal Payroll Resources
Each link appears after the relevant explanation above. This reference panel is for rechecking a form, rate, wage rule, FICA limit, or complaint deadline before acting.
Official 2026 percentage election and instructions.
Open the 2026 A-4 PDFEmployee and employer guidance, including the 2.0% default.
Review ADOR withholding rulesState worksheet help for reviewing an A-4 election.
Open ADOR calculation guidanceIndustrial Commission notice for the $15.15 rate.
Open the official wage noticeCity coverage, $18.35 rate, and complaint information.
Review Flagstaff rulesAccrual, employer-size limits, and enforcement help.
Read official sick-time FAQs2026 federal income-tax withholding methods.
Open Publication 15-TFICA, supplemental wages, deposits, and employer guidance.
Open Publication 15Official 2026 $184,500 taxable maximum and 6.2% rate.
Check the SSA contribution baseEligibility, regular-rate, and overtime information.
Review DOL overtime guidanceState filing form and one-year claim warning.
Open the wage-claim pageHousehold-level federal withholding review.
Use the official estimatorCompare an Arizona Offer with Other State Paychecks
Run the same gross pay, filing status, pay frequency, and benefit deductions before comparing locations. Then add housing, insurance, transportation, and local cost differences outside the paycheck.
Compare Arizona’s elected withholding with California state tax and payroll deductions.
Open the California calculatorCompare Arizona withholding with a state that has no personal state income tax.
Open the Texas calculatorCompare Arizona take-home pay with another no-state-income-tax paycheck.
Open the Florida calculatorArizona Paycheck Calculator FAQs
What percentage is taken from an Arizona paycheck for state tax?
The employer generally withholds the percentage selected on Arizona Form A-4: 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, or 3.5%, plus any extra amount. A qualifying exemption can produce zero Arizona withholding.
Is Arizona’s tax rate 2.5% or is withholding 2.0%?
Both figures can be relevant for different purposes. Arizona’s individual income-tax rate is 2.5%, while 2.0% is the employer withholding default when a new employee does not submit Form A-4 within five days. The employee may elect another allowed A-4 percentage.
Does Arizona have city income tax on wages?
Arizona cities and counties do not add a separate personal wage-income tax in this calculator. Other deductions, local program items, or court-ordered payments can still appear on a paycheck.
What is Arizona’s minimum wage in 2026?
The statewide Arizona minimum wage is $15.15 per hour beginning January 1, 2026. A higher local rate can apply; Flagstaff’s 2026 minimum wage is $18.35 per hour for covered work.
Can the calculator estimate both hourly and salary pay?
Yes. Hourly mode uses regular and overtime hours. Salary mode converts annual salary into the selected weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly planning period.
Does the calculator use the 2026 Form W-4 method?
It uses the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T automated percentage method for a 2020-or-later Form W-4, including filing status, the Step 2 checkbox, Step 3 credits, Step 4(a) other income, Step 4(b) deductions, and Step 4(c) extra withholding.
Does the estimate stop Social Security at the 2026 wage base?
Yes. The current-check calculation uses the $184,500 wage base and can use year-to-date Social Security wages entered by the user. Medicare has no wage cap.
How is Additional Medicare Tax estimated?
The current-check estimate applies the extra 0.9% to the part of current employer Medicare wages that crosses $200,000 of year-to-date wages. The employee’s final return liability can use a different threshold based on filing status.
How are bonuses withheld in Arizona?
A separately identified bonus may use the optional 22% federal supplemental withholding method when allowed. Arizona withholding generally follows the employee’s A-4 percentage and extra amount. An employer may instead aggregate the bonus with regular wages under an authorized method.
Is all overtime pay exempt from federal income tax in 2026?
No. The federal deduction generally concerns qualified FLSA overtime compensation above the regular rate, often the half-time premium in time-and-a-half pay, subject to eligibility, limits, and phaseouts. Overtime wages remain subject to payroll reporting and generally to withholding and FICA when paid.
How much Arizona paid sick time do employees accrue?
Covered employees generally accrue at least one hour of earned paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. The annual limit is generally 40 hours for an employer with 15 or more employees and 24 hours for a smaller employer.
When is a final paycheck due in Arizona?
A discharged employee is generally due wages within seven working days or by the end of the next regular pay period, whichever is sooner. An employee who quits is generally paid in the usual manner by the regular payday for the pay period in which termination occurred.
Why is my actual paycheck different from this estimate?
Differences commonly come from gross hours, overtime regular-rate rules, W-4 or A-4 settings, benefit tax treatment, year-to-date FICA wages, bonuses, tips, taxable fringe benefits, payroll rounding, or an unentered post-tax deduction.
Is this official tax, payroll, or legal advice?
No. It is a planning tool. Use the Arizona Department of Revenue, Industrial Commission of Arizona, IRS, Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, employer payroll records, or a qualified professional for an official decision.