The Christmas Cove Dyke of coastal Maine, USA, and regional sources ... by McHone, J. Gregory; Hussey, Arthur M., II; West, David P., Jr.; Bailey, David G. / Atlantic Geology.
Social security and Medicare taxes have different rates and only the social security tax has a wage base limit. The wage base limit is the maximum wage subject to the tax for the year. Determine the amount of withholding for social security and Medicare taxes by multiplying each payment by the employee tax rate. There are no withholding allowances for social security and Medicare taxes.
Because beginning this year, Medicare taxes will be assessed on earnings up to $125,000 per year, nearly twice the $53,400 subject to Social Security taxes. Here's what's happening: Since 1967, when the Medicare program was established, a portion of our Social Security taxes has gone to pay for it every year. This year, of the 7.65% payroll tax employees and employers each contribute to Social Security, 6.2% is strictly for Social Security while the remaining 1.45% is for Medicare. It was easier just to lump the taxes together under the general heading of Social Security when the taxes were applied evenly to earnings.