Important Information About Changes to Paychecks

Category: Announcements

Even with the American Taxpayer Relief Act, you will see more taxes deducted from your paycheck starting in January 2013.

Social Security Payroll Taxes (2 percent increase)

The government reduction in Social Security payroll taxes (“tax holiday”) ended Dec. 31, 2012. The employee tax rate for Social Security will return to 6.2% from 4.2%, resulting in 2 percent less in after-tax pay beginning in the first January 2013 paycheck. This tax break was not extended in the Act passed by Congress on Jan. 1, 2013.

Estimated 2 percent increase for Social Security Payroll Taxes
Yearly taxable wages Additional taxes you will pay (by month) Additional taxes you will pay (by year)
$25,000 $24 $500
$50,000 $83 $1,000
$75,000 $125 $1,500
$100,000 $167 $2,000

Additional Medicare Tax On Wages Over $200,000

The current Medicare tax rate of 1.45% will continue continue for 2013, but an additional Medicare tax of .09% will be withheld on wages paid to an employee in excess of $200,000 during the calendar year.

Federal Withholding Tax Rates

The Act maintains the current income tax rates for individuals earning up to $400,000 and families earning less than $450,000. The maximum marginal rate for employees making more than these amounts will now be 39.6% up from 35%.