What the Workbook Contains
The sheet "Gross to Net" has nine columns, A to I, and one row per payday, from 9 January 2026 in rows 2 to 27, with totals in row 29.
- Shaded input cells: gross pay (B), pre-tax deductions (C) and federal income tax (E).
- Formula cells: taxable wages (D), Social Security (F), Medicare (G), state tax (H) and net pay (I).
- Side panel: the state tax rate in cell L1, named
state_rate, and a net to gross check in K4 to L7.
The sample rows hold the site's $65,000 example: $2,500 gross each payday and $217.31 of pre-tax deductions.
The Formulas Column by Column
Each row uses the same five formulas, written for row 2 below.
| Column | Label | Formula or input |
|---|---|---|
| A | Pay period | Date (input) |
| B | Gross pay | Input |
| C | Pre-tax deductions | Input |
| D | Taxable wages | =B2-C2 |
| E | Federal income tax | Input |
| F | Social Security (6.2%) | =MIN(B2,184500)*0.062 |
| G | Medicare (1.45%) | =B2*0.0145 |
| H | State tax | =D2*state_rate |
| I | Net pay | =B2-C2-E2-F2-G2-H2 |
Row 29 adds each column with =SUM(B2:B27) and so on, which gives the yearly gross, tax and net.
Filling In the Federal Tax Column
Column E is left as an input because federal tax depends on filing status, the standard deduction and the brackets, which a one-line formula cannot follow well. The calculator above works it out the way the site's engine does:
- Yearly taxable income = salary − pre-tax deductions − the $16,100 standard deduction (single): $65,000 − $5,650 − $16,100 = $43,250.
- Tax from the 2026 brackets: 10% on the first $12,400, 12% on the rest up to $50,400 = $4,942.
- Spread over 26 paydays: $4,942 ÷ 26 = $190.08, the figure for column E.
Your employer's withholding uses the IRS Publication 15-T tables and your W-4, so the paycheck may differ by a few dollars. The Federal Income Tax Calculator shows the yearly tax in more detail.
Worked Example: One Row of the Sheet
With the sample row filled in, single and in Texas, the formulas give these values:
| Cell | What it holds | Value |
|---|---|---|
| B2 | Gross pay | $2,500 |
| C2 | Pre-tax deductions | $217.31 |
| D2 | =B2-C2 | $2,282.69 |
| E2 | Federal tax (input) | $190.08 |
| F2 | =MIN(B2,184500)*0.062 | $155 |
| G2 | =B2*0.0145 | $36.25 |
| H2 | =D2*state_rate, rate 0 | $0 |
| I2 | Net pay | $1,901.37 |
Over 26 rows the net pay total in I29 is $49,435.50. With Illinois at 0.0495 in L1, H2 becomes $112.99 and I2 drops to $1,788.37.
Rows at Other Salaries
The table shows what one biweekly row looks like at four salaries, single, Texas, with typical pre-tax deductions:
| Salary | B Gross | E Federal tax to enter | F + G FICA | I Net pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48,000 | $1,846.15 | $126.62 | $141.23 | $1,486 |
| $65,000 | $2,500 | $190.08 | $191.25 | $1,901.37 |
| $85,000 | $3,269.23 | $323.35 | $250.10 | $2,440.02 |
| $120,000 | $4,615.38 | $594.54 | $353.08 | $3,298.54 |
For monthly pay, delete rows so twelve remain and enter monthly figures. The same $65,000 salary paid monthly gives $5,416.67 in B, $411.83 in E and $4,119.63 net.
The State Rate Cell
Cell L1 holds one flat state rate as a decimal, and every row reads it through the name state_rate. Type 0 for Texas, Florida or another state with no wage tax, 0.0495 for Illinois, 0.0307 for Pennsylvania or 0.025 for Arizona.
For a state with brackets, use your average rate: last year's state tax divided by your state wages. The formula applies the rate to taxable wages in column D, so pre-tax deductions lower the state tax too. Pennsylvania taxes 401(k) deferrals, so a Pennsylvania worker should leave those out of column C when working out the state figure.
The Net to Gross Check Cells
Cells K4 to L7 run a quick reverse check: enter the net pay you want in L5 and a combined tax rate in L6, and L7 shows =L5/(1-L6).
The sample uses $4,000 and 20%, so L7 shows $5,000. Dividing by 0.8 is right; multiplying $4,000 by 1.2 would give $4,800, which leaves only $3,840 after 20%. For an exact answer with brackets, the Net to Gross Calculator searches for the gross figure instead.
Limits of the Spreadsheet
- Social Security cap: each row caps its own gross at $184,500, not the running yearly total. A $250,000 salary would keep taking $596.15 a paycheck all year, while real payroll stops once wages pass $184,500.
- Additional Medicare Tax: the extra 0.9% above $200,000 is not in column G.
- FICA base: F and G use full gross pay. Health insurance taken pre-tax through a cafeteria plan is also free of FICA, so for those deductions the sheet slightly overstates FICA.
- Bonuses: a bonus row needs its own federal figure, usually 22% flat; the Bonus Tax Calculator works it out.
- Post-tax deductions such as Roth 401(k) or union dues have no column; add one and subtract it in column I.
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 for the brackets and standard deduction; Social Security Administration for the $184,500 wage base. Rates for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the gross to net Excel template free?
Yes. Download gross-to-net-template.xlsx; it needs no macros and works in Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers.
Why is federal tax an input and not a formula?
Federal tax depends on brackets, filing status and the W-4, so the template leaves it to you. The calculator on this page gives the per-paycheck figure.
What is the Social Security formula in Excel?
The template uses =MIN(B2,184500)*0.062, which is 6.2% of gross pay with a cap per row.
How do I add my state tax?
Type your flat state rate as a decimal in cell L1, for example 0.0495 for Illinois. Column H multiplies taxable wages by it.
Can the template work for monthly pay?
Yes. Keep twelve rows, enter monthly gross and deductions, and use the monthly federal figure from the calculator.
How do I calculate gross from net in Excel?
Divide net by one minus the combined rate, as the template does with =L5/(1-L6).