FICA Tax Calculator
Calculate your Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes based on your income and employment status. See the breakdown between Social Security, Medicare, and the additional Medicare tax for high earners. Self-employed individuals pay both the employer and employee portions.
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay 7.65% of gross wages (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare), and employers match this amount for a combined 15.3%. Self-employed individuals pay the full 15.3% as self-employment tax, though they can deduct half of this amount on their income tax return.
Social Security tax has a wage base limit -- in 2024, only the first $168,600 of earnings is subject to the 6.2% (or 12.4% for self-employed) Social Security tax. Income above this cap is not taxed for Social Security. Medicare has no wage cap -- all earnings are subject to the 1.45% (or 2.9%) Medicare tax.
High earners face an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% on earnings above $200,000 (single filers) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). This additional tax is paid only by the employee -- there is no employer match. Combined with regular Medicare, high earners pay 2.35% (employee) or 3.8% (self-employed) on income above the threshold.