To remain compliant, you must operate with the correct data. 

Both employees and employers have to pay Social Security taxes and divide the total amount paid by each employee. The Social Security withholding rate is currently 6.2% for both employees and employers. In the case of the self-employed, the rate is 12.4% because they do not have an employer who distributes the tax.

However, the Old Age, Survival, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program limits the amount of an employee’s income that can tax in a given year. This limit changes each year and is based on the median wage rate.

The Social Security Salary Base is the maximum gross income Social Security can tax on an employee. The limit is $142,800 for 2021, which means any income earned above $142,800 will not be subject to Social Security tax. Considering these factors, the maximum amount that an employee and an employer would have to pay is $8,853.60 each ($17,707.20 for self-employed).

What is the Medicare tax limit?

There is no wage limit for Medicare tax, which is currently 1.45% and applies to all covered wages paid. Both employees and employers have to pay this rate-the self-employed must pay the entire 2.9%.

If you earn more than $200,000, your earnings are subject to an additional 0.9% Medicare tax (employers do not have to pay this extra tax). The extra tax applies in these circumstances:

• Married filing jointly and earning more than $250,000/year
• Married filing separately and earning wages more excellent than $125,000
• Single and earn a salary greater than 200,000
• Head of household (with qualifying person) and earning more than $200,000
• Qualifying widow with dependent child earning more than $200,000

What is the FICA tax?

• Short for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, FICA combines the Social Security tax and the Medicare tax. On a payment receipt, it may appear as FICA (OASDI). For 2021, the total amount of FICA taxes with amounts held to 15.3%, again with most employees paying half, splitting the payment with your employer (unless you’re self-employed, then you have to pay the total amount). 15.3%).

Changes in Social Security for 2021

• Recipients of Social Security benefits should see a 1.3% cost of living adjustment on their monthly payments. But before you get too excited, know that this increase will only be $20 a month for the average beneficiary. The median monthly Social Security payment for 2021 is $1,540, while the maximum monthly benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age increased from $137 to $3,148.
• If you work while collecting Social Security, your earnings limit has increased for 2021. Before you reach full retirement age, you can earn $18,960 before deductions take from your Social Security payments. If you’re working at full retirement age, you can earn $50,520 before your fees deduct.
• If you’re one of the 10 million Americans who qualify for Social Security disability payments, you’ll see a slight increase. For those designated legally blind, prices will increase from $70 to $2,190 a month. For the non-blind, monthly benefits increased by $50 to a maximum of $1,310.

Paycor can help with payroll taxes.

• With Paycor as your HR and payroll partner, you’ll have a dedicated team equipped to handle payroll processing, including check printing, payroll tax filing, W-2 and 1099 processing, and reporting while maintaining tax compliance. With the right technology and expertise, you can make a difference in your organization. Do you want to know more? Talk to a Paycor representative today.