For 2013, the maximum limit on earnings for withholding of Social Security (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) tax has changed from last year and is now $113,700.00. The Social Security tax rate has also changed from last year and is now 6.2 percent. The resulting maximum Social Security tax for 2013 is $7,049.40.
There is still no limit on the amount of earnings subject to Medicare (Hospital Insurance) tax. The Medicare tax rate applies to all taxable wages and remains at 1.45 percent with the exception of an “additional Medicare tax” assessed against all taxable wages paid in excess of the applicable threshold (see note). The FICA tax rate, which is the combined Social Security rate of 6.2 percent and the Medicare rate of 1.45 percent, increases to 7.65 percent for 2013 (or 8.55 percent for taxable wages paid in excess of the applicable threshold (see note).
The information in the following table shows the changes in Social Security and Medicare withholding limits from 2012 to 2013. The new limits are effective January 1, 2013.
Note: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law March 23, 2010 created the “additional Medicare tax” that changes Medicare withholding computations effective January 1, 2013. All wages, self-employment income, and other compensation that are subject to regular Medicare tax and are paid in excess of the applicable threshold are subject to the additional Medicare tax. Employers are required to withhold the additional Medicare tax at a 0.9% rate on wages and other compensation it pays to an employee in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year. There is no employer match for the additional Medicare tax.
— Payroll,
Controller, 12-27-12
