Troubleshooting Calculator Issues
Quick solutions to common tax calculator problems. Get back to accurate calculations in minutes with our step-by-step guide.
First Steps: The Quick Checklist
Before diving deeper, try these common fixes. They solve over 80% of issues.
- Refresh the page: A simple refresh (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R) often resolves temporary glitches.
- Clear your browser cache: This removes old data that might be causing conflicts.
- Try an incognito/private window: This disables extensions that might interfere with the calculator.
Calculation Errors & Unexpected Results
Issue: Wrong Tax Withholding Amount
The calculated federal or state tax seems incorrect.
Solution Checklist:
- Verify your **Filing Status** (Single, Married, etc.).
- Ensure you selected the correct **State**.
- Confirm your **Pay Frequency** (weekly, bi-weekly) is accurate.
- Enter any **Additional Withholding** from your W-4 form.
Issue: Take-Home Pay Doesn’t Match Paystub
The final net pay is different from what you actually receive.
Solution: Account for All Deductions
Your paystub includes deductions our calculator may not know about. Use the “Add Deduction” feature to input amounts for:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
- 401(k) or other retirement contributions.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- Union dues or life/disability insurance.
Input & Data Entry Issues
Issue: Getting an “Error” or “NaN” Result
The calculator shows an error instead of a number.
Solution: Check Your Inputs
- Remove special characters: Enter `50000`, not `$50,000` or `50,000.00`.
- Fill all required fields: Make sure no essential fields (like salary) are empty.
- Avoid negative numbers where they don’t belong (e.g., in salary or deductions).
Issue: Dropdown Menus Not Working
Can’t select a state or filing status.
Solution: Check for Interference
This is almost always caused by a browser extension. Try disabling your **ad blocker** or other script-blocking extensions for our site and refresh the page.
Technical & Performance Problems
Issue: Calculator Won’t Load, Freezes, or is Slow
The page is blank, stuck, or unresponsive.
Solution: Progressive Troubleshooting
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
- Perform a “hard refresh” (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R) to bypass cached files.
- Disable all browser extensions and try again. If it works, re-enable them one by one to find the culprit.
- Try a different browser to see if the issue is specific to your current one.
Issue: Results Don’t Update After Changing Inputs
You change the salary, but the net pay stays the same.
Solution: Ensure Recalculation
Most of our calculators update automatically. If one doesn’t, look for a **”Calculate” button** and click it after making changes. If no button exists, clicking outside the input box or pressing the `Tab` key usually triggers the update.
Browser Compatibility
For the best experience, security, and performance, we recommend using the **latest version** of any modern web browser. Our calculators are fully tested and supported on:
Internet Explorer is Not Supported
Internet Explorer is an outdated browser that lacks modern security features and is no longer supported by Microsoft or our tools. Please upgrade to a modern browser like Edge or Chrome.
Still Having Trouble?
If you’ve tried all the relevant steps and your issue persists, we’re here to help. When contacting support, please provide:
- The name of the calculator you were using.
- A brief description of the problem.
- The browser and device you are using (e.g., “Chrome on a Windows PC”).