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Gross-Up Calculator (Net → Gross)

Payroll's inverse question: “what gross does it take to land $X net?” Useful for employers promising an exact net — and for you, to know what salary to ask for based on what you want to take home.

Gross-Up Calculator

Start from the net you want to land — get the gross pay that delivers it.

2026
$

Required gross: $6,061 Monthly

Required gross pay · Monthly
$72,736 gross a year · tax wedge $12,736
Target take-home (annual)
$60,000
Federal income tax
−$7,172
Social Security (6.2%)
−$4,510
Medicare (1.45%)
−$1,055
Effective tax rate
17.5%
Required gross (annual)
$72,736

Estimates only. Not tax or legal advice. Consult a professional.

The two gross-up methods

Flat supplemental (22%)

For one-off payments like bonuses, the IRS allows a flat 22% federal withholding. The formula: gross = net ÷ (1 − 0.22 − 0.0765 − state). Delivering $5,000 net costs $7,107 gross with no state tax.

Annualized (this calculator)

For recurring pay the flat rate doesn't apply: the right approach solves against the year's actual brackets. This calculator inverts the full engine — 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and your state — until it finds the gross to the cent.

When gross-ups are used

Guaranteed-net bonuses

“We'll give you $5,000 clean” commits the company to covering the tax — the real gross comes from this calculator.

Relocations

Moving reimbursements have been taxable since 2018, so companies typically gross them up so the move doesn't cost you tax.

Offers and negotiation

It works in reverse too: set the monthly net you need to live on and find the gross salary you should ask for in your state.

Running payroll yourself?

If you're grossing up bonuses by hand, payroll software does it (and the filings) automatically — we compared the main options.

Best payroll software 2026Gusto vs ADPADP vs Paychex
Salary → hourlyPay raise calculatorOvertime calculatorCompare states1099 tax calculator

Gross-up FAQ

What does it mean to gross up a payment?
Grossing up means increasing the gross payment so that, after withholding, the recipient lands on an exact net amount. Employers use it for bonuses, relocation packages, and severance when they promise an 'in-hand' figure.
What salary do I need to take home $5,000 a month?
To clear $5,000/month ($60,000/year), a single filer needs ~$72,736 gross per year with no state tax. In a taxed state it's more — pick California in the calculator to see it. For $4,000/month it's ~$57,026.
How do you gross up a bonus with the flat 22% method?
The IRS allows bonuses to be withheld at a flat 22% supplemental rate (federal). Formula: gross = net ÷ (1 − 0.22 − 0.0765 FICA − state rate). Example: to deliver $5,000 net with no state tax, the gross bonus is $7,107.
Is the gross-up amount itself taxable?
Yes — the extra the employer adds to cover your taxes is itself taxable wages. That's why the formula divides by (1 − rate) instead of just adding the withholding back: the math already accounts for it.

Free PDF: 10 Hidden Tax Hacks for US Workers

Specific dollar-impact tactics worth $1,000–$15,000/year. Bilingual EN/ES. Drop your email and I'll send the PDF instantly.

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