New Jersey Paycheck Calculator

How much does New Jersey take out of your paycheck? For most workers, expect federal income tax, NJ state income tax (1.4% to 10.75%), Social Security, Medicare, and small state deductions for unemployment, disability, and family leave to add up to roughly 25% to 35% of gross pay.

A New Jersey paycheck calculator guide shows your exact take-home pay in seconds, and you can turn that result into a pay stub a minute later.

New Jersey has a large employer base and a growing workforce, with more than 187,000 new businesses registered in a single recent year. Tax rules change every January, so both employers and employees need current numbers to stay compliant. This guide covers every New Jersey payroll tax for 2026 and shows you how to make a clean check stub once you have the figures.

Registering a Business in New Jersey

Starting a business in New Jersey is fairly simple, though the exact steps depend on your business structure. You begin by choosing a unique business name. A business attorney or an online name search can confirm it is available.

Next, you get an EIN (employer identification number) from the IRS. Then you gather your formation documents and register with the Division of Revenue. The registration fee for most business structures is $125.

1. Choose a Unique Business Name: Run a thorough name search so your name is not already in use. A business attorney or online tools can help.
2. Obtain an EIN: Apply for an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. You need it for taxes and most business activities.
3. Gather and Prepare Documents: Assemble your formation documents, such as Articles of Incorporation or Organization, based on your structure.
4. Register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue: File your documents and pay the fee. As of 2026, the registration fee for most business structures is $125.

New Jersey Tax Overview

You do not have to be a New Jersey resident to owe tax here. If you earn income from a New Jersey source, you pay New Jersey tax.

• State income tax runs from 1.4% to 10.75%, depending on income and filing status. There are no general local payroll taxes, though Newark has a 1% employer payroll tax.
• The state sales tax rate is 6.625%. New Jersey does not allow add-on local sales taxes in most areas, so the combined rate stays at 6.625% in nearly all of the state.
• Employers issue a Form W-2 showing employee wages and tax withheld. If you need to produce one, our W-2 form maker creates it in minutes.
• Income from sources other than your employer goes on a Form 1099 before you file your return.

Taxable Base Wage (Social Security)

The Social Security taxable wage base for 2026 is $184,500. Only the first $184,500 of income is subject to Social Security tax. Anything above that is exempt from Social Security tax, though Medicare still applies.

SUTA Rates

State unemployment tax funds benefits for workers who lose their jobs. In New Jersey, both employers and employees pay into the system, which is unusual. Most states only tax employers.

Employee Unemployment Tax:

• The employee SUI rate for 2026 is 0.3825%, down from 0.425% in 2025.
• It applies to the first $44,800 of wages in 2026 (up from $43,300 in 2025). That works out to a maximum of about $171 per employee for the year.

Employer Unemployment Tax (SUTA):

• Employer SUI rates vary by experience rating and industry. For the July 2025 to June 2026 period, New Jersey uses Tax Table C, with rates from 0.5% to 5.8%.
• New employers pay a flat combined rate of about 2.8% for the first three calendar years.
• Your exact rate comes from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

FUTA Rates

Employers pay FUTA to support workers who lose their jobs. The FUTA (Federal Unemployment Tax) rate is 6% on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages.

Employers who pay state unemployment tax on time get a 5.4% credit, which drops the effective rate to 0.6%. New Jersey repaid its federal unemployment loan, so it is not a credit reduction state. New Jersey employers get the full credit and pay the standard 0.6%, or up to $42 per employee.

FICA Taxes

FICA is a federal payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare. The 2026 rates are below.

• Social Security Tax: 6.2% employee plus 6.2% employer, for 12.4% total.
• Wage Base Limit: $184,500. Only the first $184,500 of wages is subject to Social Security tax.
• Medicare Tax: 1.45% employee plus 1.45% employer, for 2.9% total, with no wage cap.
• Additional Medicare Tax: An extra 0.9% applies to wages over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (joint).

New Jersey-Specific Payroll Taxes

• Unemployment Insurance (SUI): Paid by both employers and employees. Employer rates run 0.5% to 5.8% under Tax Table C. The employee rate is 0.3825% on the first $44,800 in 2026.
• Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI): The employee rate for 2026 is 0.19% on the first $171,100 of wages, down from 0.23% in 2025. Employers also contribute at a rate that varies by experience.
• Family Leave Insurance (FLI): The employee rate for 2026 is 0.23% on the first $171,100 of wages, down from 0.33% in 2025. Employers do not contribute to FLI.

Payroll Tax Withholding

Rates: New Jersey Gross Income Tax withholding for 2026 is progressive, from 1.4% to 10.75%, based on income and filing status. The official rate tables are in the New Jersey Income Tax Withholding Instructions (NJ-WT): https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/pdf/current/njwt.pdf

Employer Reporting: Employers must withhold New Jersey Gross Income Tax and remit it to the state. They file a quarterly employer report (NJ-927) along with the wage detail report (WR-30), plus an annual reconciliation (NJ-W-3) with the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

New Jersey Paycheck Calculator

A free New Jersey paycheck calculator gives you take-home pay in minutes. It automatically subtracts federal tax, state tax, FICA, and the state insurance deductions for SUI, TDI, and FLI.

You enter your pre-tax deductions first, such as 401(k), medical insurance, HSA, FSA, and LTD (long-term disability). After post-tax deductions, the calculator returns your net pay.

NJ Hourly Paycheck Calculator

An hourly paycheck calculator finds your gross income from your hourly rate and hours worked. Multiply your rate by your total hours to get gross pay. Then subtract taxes and deductions to get your net income.

New Jersey Child Support Calculator

To calculate child support in New Jersey, both parents combine the income reported on their most recent tax returns. The support amount is then a percentage of that combined income, based on the number of children.

For example:

1. 17% of income for one child
2. 25% for two children
3. 29% for three children
4. 31% for four children
5. 35% for five or more children

So a couple with three children and $100,000 in combined annual income would pay around $29,000 per year in child support.

Labor Laws in New Jersey

Minimum Wage

• Standard Minimum Wage: As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most employees.
• Tipped Employees: The minimum cash wage is $6.05 per hour, as long as tips bring total pay to at least the standard minimum wage.
• Seasonal and Small Employers: Employers with fewer than six workers and seasonal employers pay $15.23 per hour in 2026.
• Agricultural Workers: The rate for farm workers is $14.20 per hour in 2026, on a separate phase-in schedule.

Overtime Pay

• Covered employees earn 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for hours over 40 in a workweek.

Child Labor Laws

• New Jersey prohibits employing minors under 14 in most cases.
• Minors aged 14 and 15 can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs. Workers 16 and 17 have fewer restrictions on hours and work type.

Paid Sick Leave

• The Earned Sick Leave Law requires most employers to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year.
• Employees accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Additional Labor Laws

• New Jersey also has rules on meal and rest breaks, equal pay, discrimination, and workplace safety.

New Jersey Paystub Generator

Once you have your numbers, the last step is the stub itself. A New Jersey paystub generator gives you gross pay, taxes, deductions, and net pay in under a minute. To avoid fake pay stubs, use an error-free pay stub generator like Real Check Stubs. It makes the whole process quick and hassle-free.

New Jersey Tax Resources

NJ Division of Taxation

• Website: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/
• Phone: +1 800-323-4400
• Address: 3 John Fitch Way, Trenton, NJ 08611, United States

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is taken out of my paycheck in NJ?

For most workers, federal tax, state tax (1.4% to 10.75%), FICA, and the state SUI, TDI, and FLI deductions take about 25% to 35% of gross pay. The exact share depends on your income, filing status, and pre-tax deductions.

Are paycheck calculators reliable?

If your return has no special exemptions, an online paycheck calculator is a reliable way to estimate your take-home pay.

Can I use the New Jersey paycheck calculator for free?

Yes. Many free New Jersey paycheck calculators are available online, and they are accurate enough for estimating net income.

What is the standard minimum wage in New Jersey for 2026?

The standard minimum wage for most employees is $15.92 per hour as of January 1, 2026.

Is there a different minimum wage for tipped employees in NJ?

Yes. The minimum cash wage for tipped employees is $6.05 per hour. Their total pay, including tips, must meet or exceed the standard minimum wage.

Where can I find the official child support guidelines worksheet?

The worksheet is available on the New Jersey Courts website.

Conclusion

If you live or work in New Jersey, use this guide to check your take-home pay for 2026. The same steps work anywhere in the state, whether you are in Newark, Jersey City, or Atlantic City. Once you know your numbers, the pay stub generator turns them into a professional stub in about a minute.