401(k) Contribution Calculator 2026
Check your 2026 contribution against the IRS limits, add your employer match, and see how much federal income tax a traditional contribution saves versus Roth.
Last reviewed 8 October 2026 · Estimate only — not tax advice, not an IRS calculation
How this was calculated
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2026 employee limit $24,500 | $24,500.00 |
| Your contribution (10% of salary) | $9,000.00 |
| Employer match (100% of contributions up to 4% of pay) | $3,600.00 |
| Total added to your 401(k) this year | $12,600.00 |
| Federal income tax saved this year (traditional) | $1,980.00 |
| Net cost to your take-home pay | $7,020.00 |
Assumptions
- One employer plan; employer match is calculated on each pay period’s contributions at an even rate
- Traditional deferrals reduce federal income-tax wages but not Social Security/Medicare wages
- Tax saving uses the standard deduction and ignores state tax
Rules: federal US-FED-2026-v1 · Tax year 2026 (generally filed in 2027)
How this calculator works
Limit = $24,500 + catch-up ($8,000 at 50+, $11,250 at ages 60–63) · Match = match % × contributions up to the match-limit % of pay · Tax saving = tax without deferral − tax with deferral (traditional only).
Worked example
$90,000 salary, 10% traditional contribution with a 100% match on 4%: you add $9,000, your employer $3,600 — $12,600 in total — and federal income tax falls by about $1,980.
Limits and edge cases
- Traditional deferrals reduce income-tax wages but not Social Security or Medicare wages; Roth deferrals reduce neither.
- The $72,000 §415(c) limit on employee + employer additions excludes catch-up contributions.
- From 2026, higher earners must make catch-up contributions as Roth.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
$24,500 of employee elective deferrals, plus $8,000 catch-up from age 50, or $11,250 if you are 60–63 and your plan allows it.
Is the employer match counted in the $24,500?
No. Employer contributions count only towards the overall §415(c) limit of $72,000 for 2026.
Official sources
Rule review
Taxliva is not affiliated with the IRS and does not file returns. Results are estimates for general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.
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