Back-to-Work Calculator
The classic question after a baby: does a second income survive childcare? Enter the income, your effective tax rate, and the costs of working, and get the net monthly gain or loss — stated plainly.
Net monthly gain
+$2,450
About $2,450/month ahead after childcare and work costs.
This is arithmetic, not life advice — career growth, benefits, retirement matching, and what your family actually wants matter as much as the dollars.
Common questions
How do I estimate my effective tax rate?
Take last year's tax return: divide your total tax by your gross income. That's your effective rate — the average tax on every dollar, which is the right figure for estimating take-home on a new income. Don't use your marginal bracket; it overstates the tax.
What counts as a work cost?
Anything you only spend because of the job: commuting (gas, transit, parking), work lunches and coffee, professional wardrobe, and convenience spending like takeout on work nights. Be honest here — these add up faster than people expect.
Does this account for career growth?
No — and that's the biggest caveat. Staying out of the workforce can cost far more over a career than one year of childcare, through missed raises, promotions, and retirement contributions. This calculator shows the monthly arithmetic; the long-term career math usually favors going back.