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Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about Aplomia.

Is Aplomia free?
Yes. All current tools are free to use, no signup required. We may offer paid features in the future (e.g. enhanced privacy controls) but the core tools will stay free.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Every tool works without an account. We use a session cookie to connect your tools (e.g. pre-filling Cash Flow Lens from your earlier Paycheck Snapshot), but you stay anonymous unless you choose to submit your email.
Is Aplomia a financial advisor?
No. Aplomia is a decision-support tool, not a financial advisor, planner, lender, broker, or tax advisor. We show you the numbers and explain what they mean; we don't tell you what to do. See our disclaimer.
How accurate are the calculations?
We use the same methodology employers use for withholding (IRS Pub 15-T, state DOR withholding publications) and cite our sources on every result. That said, every result is an estimate. Your actual paycheck or lender quote can differ based on things our model doesn't cover (multiple jobs, local taxes, payroll-provider rules, fees). Each tool page lists what it does and doesn't account for. For decisions that matter, confirm with the authoritative source (your employer's payroll team, your lender, a tax professional).
What data do you collect?
Tool inputs and results (tied to a cookie session, not to you), and email if you provide it. We do not collect SSN, bank info, address, full name, or phone number. We do not sell or share your data. See our Privacy Policy.
Will you ever ask for my Social Security number or bank account?
No. We have no use for that information and we don't collect it. If you're ever asked for SSN or bank credentials on Aplomia, that's not us — be cautious.
Do affiliate links affect the math?
No. Our calculations are deterministic and source-cited. Affiliate relationships affect which products we may link to in content; they never affect how a result is calculated, what notes appear, or which tool we route you to next.
Can I use Aplomia tools embedded on another site?
We support embedded distribution for partners (advisors, credit unions, employer benefits portals, content sites). If you're interested, reach out at steve@aplomia.com.
How do I delete my data?
Anonymous session data auto-expires after 90 days. If you've submitted your email, email brendan@aplomia.com and we'll delete everything associated with that address within 30 days.
Which states do you support?
All 50 states plus the District of Columbia. State-specific notes (local taxes, residency rules) appear with your result where they apply.
Does the state withholding number match my paycheck exactly?
For federal taxes and FICA, yes — we use the same IRS Pub 15-T percentage method employers use, with separate brackets for single, married-filing-jointly, and head-of-household.

For state withholding, it depends on your state:
  • 14 states with full per-status calc (Maine, California, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Utah, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma) use the right schedule for your filing status (single, MFJ, or HOH) — these match the published withholding tables exactly. Most are on 2026 publications.
  • 14 states (AR, AZ, CO, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, PA, RI, SC, VA) compute the same dollar amount regardless of filing status — some are true flat-rate, others use per-employee W-4 formulas — so the result is exact for everyone.
  • For the remaining 14 income-tax states and DC, married and head-of-household selections currently fall back to the single-filer schedule. The number is usually within $5–$30 per paycheck of the correct figure, but it's not exact. We show a gold “Heads-up” note in those cases so you know.

Per-state MFJ/HOH coverage is rolling out state-by-state; the goal is full coverage across all 42 income-tax states before launch.