Tax Estimates for some one starting fresh

Thought i might post my progress:
NC income tax rates
http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/individual/index.html
SS and Medicare rates
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/ProgData/taxRates.html


Does this look right?

Base Income $45,000.00
Federal $7,807.50 17.35%
State $3,022.50 6.72%
SS&Med $3,442.50 7.65%

Income After Taxes $30,727.50
Monthly Income $2,560.63
Bi-Weekly Income $1,280.31

Maybe im missing deductions, because this calculator says im over estimating my taxes...
http://www.dinkytown.net/java/Tax1040.html

you can claim a personal exemption for your self right?

The IRS has a witholding calculator here
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96196,00.html

Based on the standard deduction your income tax would be $5,493 for the year.

Income taxes are based on taxable income, not on gross income. You wouldn't pay income taxes on the entire $45,000.

You get a personal exemption, currently $3,300 and a standard deduction, currently $5,150.

Subtract both of those numbers from your gross salary to get your approximate taxable income. Most state income taxes are on the federal taxable income with some adjustments if you use other than the standard deduction.

Fica is on the gross income.

As long as you can afford it and your company has a 401k program put enough into it to get the full company match. It will be like earning 20-50% return on that money. Any money you put in a 401k reduces your taxes because you pay no income tax on that money. Because you just graduated HS, you won't be thinking of retirement but in 20 years you will be happy you put money away now.