2024 Illinois Dual Scenario Hourly Paycheck Calculator

The Illinois dual scenario hourly paycheck calculator can be used to compare your take-home pay in different Illinois hourly scenarios.

State & Date
State
Illinois
Hourly Rates
Earnings
$0.00
Federal Taxes (enter your W4 info)
Illinois State and Local Taxes
Benefits and Deductions (optional)
State & Date
State
Illinois
Hourly Rates
Earnings
$0.00
Federal Taxes (enter your W4 info)
Illinois State and Local Taxes
Benefits and Deductions (optional)

What is gross pay?

Gross pay amount is earnings before taxes and deductions are withheld by the employer. The gross pay in the hourly calculator is calculated by multiplying the hours times the rate. You can add multiple rates. This calculator will take a gross pay and calculate the net pay, which is the employee’s take-home pay.
Gross pay - Taxes - Benefits/other deductions = Net pay (your take-home pay)

What is the gross pay method?

The gross pay method refers to whether the gross pay is an annual amount or a per period amount. Per period amount is your gross pay every payday, which is typically what you use for hourly employees. The annual amount is your gross pay for the whole year.

What is pay frequency?

Pay frequency refers to the frequency with which employers pay their employees. The pay frequency starts the entire payroll process and determines when you need to run payroll and withhold taxes.

What is the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly?

Bi-weekly is once every other week with 26 payrolls per year, or 27 during a leap year like 2024. Semi-monthly is twice per month with 24 payrolls per year.

What are my withholding requirements?

Employers and employees are subject to income tax withholding. There are federal and state withholding requirements. Find federal and state withholding requirements in our Payroll Resources.

If I live in Illinois but work in another state, how do I calculate my taxes?

Additional careful considerations are needed to calculate taxes in multi-state scenarios. Learn more about multi-state payroll, nexus and reciprocity in this Multi-state Payroll guide. To calculate multi-state payroll for your employees, try PaycheckCity Payroll for free.

What’s the difference between single and head of household?

Someone who qualifies as head of household may be taxed less on their income than if filing as single. This is because the tax brackets are wider meaning you can earn more but be taxed at a lower percentage. This status applies for people who aren’t married, but adhere to special rules. If you’ve paid for more than half the cost of your household (with a qualifying dependent), consider this status. Be sure to double check all the stipulations before selecting, however. Picking the wrong filing status could cost you time and money.

What’s the difference between a deduction and withholding?

In addition to withholding federal and state taxes, part of your gross income might also have to contribute to deductions. These are known as “pre-tax deductions” and include contributions to retirement accounts and some health care costs. For example, when you look at your paycheck you might see an amount deducted for your company’s health insurance plan and for your 401k plan. Pre-tax deductions result in lower take-home, but also means less of your income is subject to tax. Some deductions are “post-tax”, like Roth 401(k), and are deducted after being taxed.

In our calculators, you can add deductions under “Benefits and Deductions” and select if it’s a fixed amount, a percentage of the gross-pay, or a percentage of the net pay. For hourly calculators, you can also select a fixed amount per hour. For pre-tax deductions, check the Exempt checkboxes, meaning the deduction will be taxed.

What was updated in the Federal W4 in 2020?

In 2020, the IRS updated the Federal W4 form that eliminated withholding allowances. The redesigned Form W4 makes it easier for your withholding to match your tax liability. Here’s how to answer the new questions:

  • Step 2: check the box if you have more than one job or you and your spouse both have jobs. This will increase withholding.
  • Step 3: enter an amount for dependents.The old W4 used to ask for the number of dependents. The new W4 asks for a dollar amount. Here’s how to calculate it: If your total income will be $200k or less ($400k if married) multiply the number of children under 17 by $2,000 and other dependents by $500. Add up the total.
  • Step 4a: extra income from outside of your job, such as dividends or interest, that usually don't have withholding taken out of them. By entering it here you will withhold for this extra income so you don't owe tax later when filing your tax return.
  • Step 4b: any additional withholding you want taken out. Any other estimated tax to withhold can be entered here. The more is withheld, the bigger your refund may be and you’ll avoid owing penalties.

If your W4 on file is in the old format (2019 or older), toggle "Use new Form W-4" to change the questions back to the previous form. Employees are currently not required to update it. However if you do need to update it for any reason, you must now use the new Form W-4.

What is state tax withholding?

Currently, 43 states and territories impose a state income tax. Generally, employees will pay state income tax based on where they live. Most states calculate their tax similarly to federal methods. They have their own state withholding form and tax brackets and depend on the employee’s marital status and specified withholding allowances. Check Illinois’s withholding method in our free Payroll Resources.

What is Unemployment Insurance (SUI)?

SUI (State Unemployment Insurance), also known as SUTA (State Unemployment Tax Act), are payroll taxes that employers, and in some states employees, have to pay to their state unemployment fund. These contributions support unemployment payments for displaced workers.

In our paycheck calculators, SUI is used to refer to the unemployment tax paid by the employee. AK, NJ, and PA have an employee unemployment tax.

Find Illinois’s unemployment insurance tax rates in our Payroll Resources SUI section. Learn more about state unemployment taxes.

More Illinois Resources

The calculators on this website are provided by Symmetry Software and are designed to provide general guidance and estimates. These calculators should not be relied upon for accuracy, such as to calculate exact taxes, payroll or other financial data. Neither these calculators nor the providers and affiliates thereof are providing tax or legal advice. You should refer to a professional adviser or accountant regarding any specific requirements or concerns.

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