FICA Tax Calculator
Print| Social Security Tax (6.2%) | $0.00 |
| Medicare Tax (1.45%) | $0.00 |
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax is a mandatory federal payroll tax levied on earned income to fund two primary social safety net programs: Social Security (OASDI) and Medicare (HI). FICA taxes are split equally between employees and employers, while self-employed individuals pay both portions through Self-Employment Tax (SECA).
Our free FICA Tax Calculator computes your exact Social Security tax withholding, Medicare tax deduction, Additional Medicare Tax surcharge, and employer matching requirements.
How to Calculate FICA Tax Withholding
FICA tax rates consist of two distinct components: Social Security tax (which is subject to an annual wage cap) and Medicare tax (which has no wage limit).
Employee FICA Tax Formulas:
Social Security Tax = MIN( Gross Wages, Annual Wage Base Cap ) × 6.2%
Standard Medicare Tax = Gross Wages × 1.45%
Additional Medicare Tax = MAX( 0, Gross Wages - Statutory Threshold ) × 0.9%
Total Employee FICA Tax = Social Security Tax + Standard Medicare Tax + Additional Medicare Tax
FICA Tax Rates & Statutory Limits:
- Social Security Tax Rate: 6.2% for employee + 6.2% for employer (12.4% total). Applies only to earnings up to the annual statutory wage base cap.
- Standard Medicare Tax Rate: 1.45% for employee + 1.45% for employer (2.9% total). Applies to ALL gross wages with no upper limit.
- Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%): Paid solely by employees earning above $200,000 (Single) or $250,000 (Married Filing Jointly). Employers do not match the 0.9% surcharge.
FICA Tax Rates & Wage Threshold Breakdown
Summary of employee and employer FICA tax contributions across income levels:
| FICA Component | Employee Rate | Employer Match Rate | Wage Threshold Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security (OASDI) | 6.20% | 6.20% | Capped at Annual Wage Base |
| Standard Medicare (HI) | 1.45% | 1.45% | No Limit (All Earnings) |
| Additional Medicare Tax | 0.90% | 0.00% (No Employer Match) | Wages over $200k ($250k Joint) |
Step-by-Step Calculation Example
An employee earns an annual gross salary of $220,000 (Single filer status):
- Annual Gross Salary: $220,000
- Social Security Wage Cap: $168,600 (Example statutory cap)
Step 1: Compute Social Security Tax (6.2%)
Social Security Tax = $168,600 (capped) × 0.062 = $10,453.20
Step 2: Compute Standard Medicare Tax (1.45%)
Standard Medicare Tax = $220,000 × 0.0145 = $3,190.00
Step 3: Compute Additional Medicare Tax (0.9% over $200,000)
Excess Wages = $220,000 - $200,000 = $20,000
Additional Medicare Tax = $20,000 × 0.009 = $180.00
Step 4: Total FICA Tax Withheld
Total FICA Tax = $10,453.20 + $3,190.00 + $180.00 = $13,823.20
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do self-employed individuals pay more FICA tax?
Yes. Self-employed freelancers and business owners pay Self-Employment Tax (SECA) of 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) because they must pay both the employee and employer portions. However, self-employed taxpayers can deduct 50% of SE tax on IRS Form 1040.
What happens if I overpay Social Security tax working two jobs?
If you work for multiple employers in a single calendar year and your combined wages exceed the annual Social Security wage cap, excess Social Security tax will be withheld. You can claim a credit for excess Social Security tax paid directly on your federal Form 1040 income tax return.
Are pre-tax benefits (like 401k or HSA) exempt from FICA tax?
Pre-tax 401(k) retirement contributions reduce federal and state income taxes but are still subject to FICA taxes. However, Section 125 cafeteria plan deductions—such as HSA contributions and health insurance premiums—are exempt from both income taxes and FICA taxes.