<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Stub44 Blog</title><description>Guides on take-home pay: paycheck deductions, state taxes, FICA, and comparing job offers by net pay.</description><link>https://stub44.com/</link><item><title>How Much Does a 401(k) Contribution Reduce Your Paycheck?</title><link>https://stub44.com/blog/how-401k-affects-take-home-pay/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://stub44.com/blog/how-401k-affects-take-home-pay/</guid><description>A $1 pre-tax 401(k) contribution doesn&apos;t cost $1 of take-home pay. Here&apos;s the real per-bracket math, why FICA still applies, and the 2026 limits.</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Why Is My Bonus Taxed So Much? (It&apos;s Withholding, Not Tax)</title><link>https://stub44.com/blog/why-is-my-bonus-taxed-so-much/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://stub44.com/blog/why-is-my-bonus-taxed-so-much/</guid><description>Why is your bonus taxed so much? It isn&apos;t a higher tax rate, it&apos;s the 22% flat withholding. Here&apos;s what gets taken out and how much you actually keep.</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>