New Jersey paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | Seven brackets for single filers and eight for joint filers, from 1.4% to 10.75% on income over $1 million |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | A personal exemption of $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (joint) |
| State payroll taxes | TDI (0.19% of the first $171,100 of wages), Family Leave Insurance (0.23% of the first $171,100 of wages) and Unemployment & Workforce (0.425% of the first $44,800 of wages) |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 6.63% average combined rate — New Jersey sales tax calculator |
How New Jersey taxes your paycheck
Seven brackets for single filers and eight for joint filers, from 1.4% to 10.75% on income over $1 million. The calculation starts from New Jersey gross income, and filers get a personal exemption of $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (joint). Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your New Jersey return.
State payroll contributions
- TDI: 0.19% of the first $171,100 of wages. Source: New Jersey Department of Labor, 2026 contribution rates.
- Family Leave Insurance: 0.23% of the first $171,100 of wages. Source: New Jersey Department of Labor, 2026 contribution rates.
- Unemployment & Workforce: 0.425% of the first $44,800 of wages. Source: New Jersey Department of Labor, 2026 contribution rates.
The calculator applies these to gross pay minus Section 125 (pre-tax health) deductions. They fund benefits you can claim yourself, such as partial wage replacement during a disability or a family or medical leave.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in New Jersey
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| New Jersey income tax | −$78.60 | −$2,043.50 |
| NJ TDI | −$4.75 | −$123.50 |
| NJ Family Leave Insurance | −$5.75 | −$149.50 |
| NJ Unemployment & Workforce | −$7.32 | −$190.40 |
| Take-home pay | $1,996.18 | $51,900.60 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
New Jersey: $65,000 − $1,000 personal exemption = $64,000 taxable; the brackets give $2,043.50 (3.14% of pay).
TDI $123.50; Family Leave Insurance $149.50; Unemployment & Workforce $190.40.
All taxes together take 20.2% of gross pay, leaving $51,900.60.
Take-home pay at other salaries in New Jersey
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | NJ income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,300 | $1,280.75 | $683 | 16.8% | $35,227 |
| $50,000 | $40,740 | $1,566.92 | $1,215 | 18.5% | $43,225 |
| $65,000 | $51,901 | $1,996.18 | $2,044 | 20.2% | $55,001 |
| $80,000 | $61,678 | $2,372.21 | $2,906 | 22.9% | $66,539 |
| $100,000 | $74,390 | $2,861.14 | $4,180 | 25.6% | $81,460 |
| $150,000 | $105,606 | $4,061.75 | $7,365 | 29.6% | $116,963 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
New Jersey compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), New Jersey ranks 33 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Pennsylvania would leave you more each year; New York and Delaware would leave less.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. New Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $2,044 | $463 | $51,901 | — |
| New York | $2,913 | $312 | $51,183 | −$718 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,996 | $46 | $52,367 | +$466 |
| Delaware | $2,949 | $260 | $51,199 | −$702 |
Good to know about New Jersey paychecks
- New Jersey is one of three states, with Alaska and Pennsylvania, that withhold unemployment insurance contributions from employees.
- Jersey City's 1% payroll tax is paid by employers and can't be deducted from employees' wages.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in New Jersey?
About $51,901 a year, or $1,996.18 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare, $2,044 of New Jersey income tax and $463 of TDI, Family Leave Insurance and Unemployment & Workforce. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $55,001.
Does New Jersey have a state income tax?
Yes. Seven brackets for single filers and eight for joint filers, from 1.4% to 10.75% on income over $1 million. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $2,044 a year, 3.14% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in New Jersey?
Besides federal taxes and state income tax, New Jersey employees pay TDI (0.19% of the first $171,100 of wages), Family Leave Insurance (0.23% of the first $171,100 of wages) and Unemployment & Workforce (0.425% of the first $44,800 of wages). On a $65,000 salary that comes to about $463 a year.
Do cities or counties in New Jersey tax wages?
No. Local governments in New Jersey do not tax employees' wages, so the state-level estimate is complete apart from your own deductions.
Is take-home pay higher in New Jersey or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, New Jersey ranks 33 of 51 for take-home pay at $51,901. Pennsylvania ($52,367) leaves more, while New York ($51,183) and Delaware ($51,199) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any New Jersey withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. New Jersey income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.