Calculator
Military Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026
Your basic pay is taxed; your BAH and BAS are not. Pick your grade and years of service to see what actually lands in your account each month and on each payday after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, TSP and SGLI.
Reviewed by Jonathan D., 20-year federal employee · Formulas verified against DFAS 2026 pay tables / IRS Pub. 3 and 15-T ·
The DFAS pay table column for your creditable service (pay entry base date).
From your LES or the DTMO BAH Calculator. Enter 0 if you live in the barracks or government quarters.
Pre-tax. Lowers federal income tax, not Social Security or Medicare. Use the percentage on your LES.
After-tax. Comes out of your paycheck without lowering this year's tax.
VA rate: 5 cents per $1,000 plus $1 for TSGLI. Full coverage is the default.
Optional. Many states exempt some or all active-duty pay, and your state of legal residence, not your duty station, usually decides. Leave 0 if unsure.
How the calculator works
It starts with your 2026 monthly basic pay from the DFAS table for your grade and years of service. Basic pay is the only part subject to federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Traditional TSP is taken out before federal income tax but not before Social Security and Medicare. Roth TSP, SGLI and any state tax come out after.
BAH and BAS are then added back in full, because IRS Publication 3 excludes them from gross income. Net pay is shown per month, per paycheck (half the month, paid on the 1st and the 15th) and per year.
Not modeled
These items can make your LES differ from the estimate:
| Not modeled | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Combat zone tax exclusion | Basic pay earned in a combat zone is excluded from federal income tax (for officers, up to a cap). The calculator taxes all basic pay. |
| Special and incentive pays | Flight, sea, hazardous duty, jump, dive, enlistment and retention bonuses and similar pays are not included. |
| Allotments | Voluntary allotments (savings, AFRTS, bills, charities) reduce what hits your account and are not modeled. |
| TRICARE dental premiums | Family dental coverage premiums come out of pay and are not included. |
| Mid-month vs end-of-month split | DFAS pays roughly half on the 15th and half on the 1st, but some deductions can land on one payday. The calculator splits the month evenly. |
| State tax rules | The state field is a flat rate. Real state exemptions, brackets and residency rules are not modeled. |
| W-4 Step 3 and Step 4 adjustments | Dependent credits, other income, extra deductions and extra withholding all change federal withholding. |
| TSP catch-up contributions | Members 50 and older can contribute above the $24,500 limit. The calculator caps at the base limit. |
| Head of household withholding table | Head of household is estimated with the Single table, so withholding may run slightly high. |
Frequently asked questions
Is BAH or BAS taxed?
No. IRS Publication 3 lists BAH and BAS under living allowances excluded from gross income. They are not subject to federal income tax, Social Security or Medicare, so the calculator adds them to your take-home pay in full. Basic pay is included in gross income unless it is for service in a combat zone.
How is federal income tax withholding on military pay figured?
Withholding is based on basic pay minus any traditional TSP contribution. The calculator applies the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T percentage method for your W-4 filing status to a full year of that pay, then divides by 12 for the month and by 24 for each paycheck. It assumes a standard W-4 with no extra withholding, dependents credit or other adjustments.
How much does SGLI cost per month?
The VA charges 5 cents per $1,000 of coverage plus $1 a month for Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI). Full $500,000 coverage costs $26 a month. You can reduce coverage in $50,000 steps, and the premium drops by $2.50 for each step.
Does TSP lower my taxes?
Traditional TSP comes out before federal income tax, so it lowers the tax withheld, but Social Security and Medicare are still figured on your full basic pay. Roth TSP comes out after tax and does not lower this year's withholding. Traditional and Roth together are limited to $24,500 in 2026, before any catch-up contributions.
Do I pay state income tax on military pay?
It depends on your state of legal residence. Some states tax active-duty pay like any other wage, some exempt part of it, and some have no income tax. Enter a flat rate if your state taxes your pay, or leave it at 0. The calculator applies that rate to the same wage used for federal income tax.
Why does my LES not match this estimate?
Your Leave and Earnings Statement can include items this calculator leaves out: special and incentive pays, combat zone tax exclusion, allotments, TRICARE dental premiums, W-4 adjustments and state rules. Deductions can also fall unevenly between the mid-month and end-of-month paydays. Use the estimate as a planning number and your LES as the final word.
Sources
- Basic pay: DFAS 2026 basic pay tables, effective January 1, 2026 (enlisted, warrant, officer).
- BAS: DFAS 2026 BAS rates ($476.95 enlisted, $328.48 officer per month).
- BAH: your entry, or a national-average estimate; exact rates from the DTMO BAH Calculator.
- What is taxable: IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide, Table 1 (basic pay included) and Table 2 (BAH and BAS excluded as living allowances).
- Withholding: IRS Publication 15-T (2026), percentage method.
- FICA: SSA 2026 wage base and IRS Topic 751 (Social Security and Medicare rates, Additional Medicare Tax).
- TSP limit: IRS IR-2025-111 and TSP Bulletin 25-3 ($24,500 elective deferral limit for 2026).
- SGLI: VA SGLI premiums (5 cents per $1,000 plus $1 TSGLI).
This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not an official government tool. Your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) shows your actual pay.
Related tools
Military Pay Calculator
Basic pay, BAH, BAS and Regular Military Compensation by grade.
BAH and RMC Calculator
What your allowances and their tax advantage are worth.
Roth vs Traditional TSP Calculator
Which TSP option leaves you more in retirement.
Federal Take-Home Pay Calculator
The same paycheck math for GS civilian employees.