Payroll Tax Calculator
Calculate your FICA (Social Security & Medicare) payroll tax withholding.
Enter your numbers and select Calculate to see results.
About This Calculator
This calculator computes the payroll (FICA) taxes withheld from a W-2 employee's paycheck: 6.2% Social Security (up to the annual wage base) and 1.45% Medicare, plus the Additional Medicare Tax for high earners. This is separate from federal income tax withholding.
How This Is Calculated
FICA = min(Wages, Wage Base) × 6.2% + Wages × 1.45% (+ 0.9% above the Additional Medicare threshold)
An $85,000 salary has $5,270 in Social Security tax and about $1,233 in Medicare tax withheld — $6,502.50 total FICA.
Assumptions
- 2026 Social Security wage base: $184,500 (SSA Publication No. 05-10003).
- 2026 FICA rates: 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (MFJ).
- This is separate from federal income tax withholding, which uses a different calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated January 15, 2026. Results are estimates for informational purposes only — read our disclaimer.