#71: How taxes work for W2 Nurses & what to do to lower taxable income
About this episode
Ellaine Maala explains how W2 nurses can manage their taxes and keep more of their paycheck.
Nurse Taxes 101 (2026): How W2 Nurses Can Keep More of Their Paycheck Ellaine, a nurse practitioner and financial educator behind Nursing Flow Sheet, explains why many W2 nurses feel paycheck-to-paycheck and breaks down U.S. taxes in a simple 2026 update. She clarifies the progressive tax system, emphasizing that being in a higher bracket doesn’t mean all income is taxed at that rate, so earning more still increases take-home pay. She encourages nurses to review their paystubs, use employer benefits and matches, think long term, and seek an accountant if finances are complex 00:00 Why Nurses Feel Broke 00:40 Meet Ellaine and Taxes Matter 01:38 Tax Brackets Explained 03:15 W2 Paycheck Breakdown 05:24 W2 Tax Levers Overview 06:57 Pre Tax Accounts 07:53 Standard Deduction Basics 09:33 Withholding vs Taxes 10:29 Simple Nurse Tax Strategy 1 1:33 Bigger Picture and Enough 12:23 When to Hire Help 12:56 Action Steps and Wrap Up Connect with me : Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nursewhoinvests Website: https://nursingflowsheet.com/ Download MONARCH MONEY: …
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