A 401(k) is the wrong answer. On $60,000 in California it cuts your tax bill but *lowers* take-home from $47,877.47 to $43,029.47, because you deferred your own pay.
personal-finance irs tax usa payroll taxes salary tax-calculator paycheck withholding 401k take-home-pay tax-planning section-125
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Updated
Sep 19, 2026