How FICA Tax and Tax Withholding Work in 2021-2022

Have you ever wondered how FICA tax and tax withholding work? In the US, these are two mediums that determine how much money individuals must pay in taxes. Although these can be confusing topics to understand, it’s important for everyone to familiarize themselves with them in order to properly plan their finances. In this blog post, we will discuss what FICA tax and tax withholding are and how they work in 2021-2022.

In this article, you will get to know what the FICA tax is and how tax withholding can work in the year 2021-22. We would also tell you how the taxes would come out of your paycheck and how you can manage or monitor them better.

Taxes such as FICA tax or withholding tax fall into the category of Payroll tax. This is the amount an employer deducts from the pay due to an employee and submits to the IRS and any other state tax authority on behalf of the employee. We will discuss the key factors in this regard and why you need to keep proper track of the same. 

Let’s start with the basics then!

What Does the FICA Tax Include? 

The FICA tax includes a Medicare tax of 1.45% and a Social Security tax of 6.2% on earnings. For the year 2021, the first $142,800 of earnings only were made subject to the Social Security tax. This amount was increased to $147,000 in 2022. A 0.9% of Medicare tax may apply to earnings made over $200,000 if you are a single filer. For the joint filers, this limit is kept at $250,000.

Read More-: Form W-2 vs. Form W-4

Is Payroll Tax the same as the FICA Tax?

Payroll tax is often referred to as the FICA tax. This is because employers usually deduct the FICA tax from the paycheck of an employee and remit the amount to the IRS on behalf of the employee.

The full form of FICA is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.

FICA tax rates and limits for 2021-2022

What is withholding Tax? How does it work?

A withholding tax is basically an income tax remitted by a payer (usually an employer) on behalf of a payee (usually an employee). The payer withholds or deducts the taxable amount from the income due to the payee. Here we will discuss how such taxes may be deducted from your paycheck.

• Federal Income Tax. This is the income tax withheld from your pay by your employer. It needs to be sent to the IRS on your behalf. The amount primarily depends upon what you have declared on your W-4.
• State Tax: This is the income tax withheld from your pay by your employer. It needs to be sent to the state tax authority on your behalf. The amount primarily depends upon where you live, where you work and other factors like your W-4 inputs. Please note that some states do not impose this tax.

• Social Security Tax: Frequently termed as OASDI (Old-age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) as is levied at the rate of 6.2%.As per the 2021 tax rules, this tax is withheld on the first $142,800 of your income. This amount is increased to $147,000 in the year 2022. Paying this tax on time will impact your credits for Social Security benefits later on.
• Medicare Tax: 1.45%. Frequently termed as the “hospital insurance tax” and is levied at the rate of 1.45%. This tax is used to cover health insurance for people aged 65 or more. These benefits are also extended to younger people with disabilities and other people with certain conditions. Employers usually deduct an extra 0.9% on the salary employees earn over $200,000.
• Wage Tax or Local Income Tax: Your city or county may impose an additional income tax. The money from it may go to cover the expenses of certain emergency services.

How is the FICA Tax or withholding Calculated?

The calculation of the amount of tax your employer withholds is done on the basis of your inputs on Form W-4. You may have filled out this form you started your job. Please note the following points:

• Form W-4 mentions your dependents, marital status and other information to help you determine how much money to withhold. The less amount is withheld, the less tax gets deducted from your paycheck.
• The information on your W-4 gets reflected on withholding tables. The payroll department of your employer uses these tables to calculate the exact income tax to withhold.
• If you think it is necessary, you can change your W-4 details at any time. You simply need to download a blank W-4 form from the IRS website, fill in the details and submit the same to your HR or payroll team.

Other Types of Payroll Tax

• Self-Employment Tax: If you are a self-employed person, this tax applies to you. This tax basically included all of the Medicare and Social Security. The IRS levies Social Security tax at the rate of 12.4% and Medicare tax at the rate of 2.9% on net earnings. Typically, both the employees and their employers share it as 50 % each. However, if you are self-employed, you will need to pay the entire amount. As you may not own a traditional paycheck, you will need to file estimated quarterly taxes, in place of withholdings.
• FUTA Tax: FUTA stands for Federal Unemployment Tax Act. The tax is designed to fund a federal program that gives unemployment benefits to those who lost their jobs. This tax is not deducted or withheld from the paychecks of the employees. Employers need to pay it.
• SUTA Tax: The tax has the same objective as that of FUTA, but the money is collected to fund a state program. Employers need to pay this tax.

Also Read-: 2022 Tax Deadlines

Conclusion:

In conclusion, FICA tax and tax withholding are important topics to understand in order to ensure that you properly manage your finances. It is important to be aware of the various taxes due, including those due for Social Security and Medicare, as well as the amount withheld from your paycheck each pay period. Being informed on these topics will help you stay organized and plan for any potential changes or adjustments that may come up during the 2021-2022 year. If you looking for help in this just call on 1800 964 3096

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