Tax

FICA Tax Calculator

Calculate your 2026 Social Security and Medicare taxes. Supports W-2 employees and self-employed with the $168,600 wage base and 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax.

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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional. Self-employment tax calculations may vary based on net earnings adjustments.

About This Tool

The FICA Tax Calculator computes your Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes for 2026. FICA taxes fund two critical federal programs: Social Security (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and Medicare (Hospital Insurance). These taxes apply to all earned income, including wages, salaries, tips, and self-employment income.

For W-2 employees, FICA taxes are split between employer and employee. Each pays 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to $168,600) and 1.45% for Medicare (on all wages). The total combined rate is 15.3%. Self-employed individuals pay the full 15.3% as self-employment tax, but can deduct the employer-equivalent half (7.65%) as an above-the-line deduction on their income tax return.

The Social Security Wage Base

The Social Security wage base is the maximum amount of earned income subject to the Social Security portion of FICA. For 2026, this limit is $168,600. Once your earned income exceeds this amount, you stop paying the 6.2% Social Security tax on additional earnings. The wage base is adjusted annually based on changes in the national average wage index. Medicare has no wage base -- all earned income is subject to the 1.45% Medicare tax.

Additional Medicare Tax

Starting in 2013, an additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to earned income above $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married filing jointly. This surtax is paid by the employee only -- employers do not match it. Combined with the standard 1.45% Medicare rate, high earners effectively pay 2.35% in Medicare taxes on income above the threshold. Self-employed individuals pay 3.8% on income above the threshold (2.9% regular + 0.9% additional).

Self-Employment Tax Considerations

Self-employed individuals calculate self-employment tax on 92.35% of net self-employment income (this adjustment accounts for the fact that employees do not pay FICA on the employer's share). The deductible employer half reduces adjusted gross income, which can lower income tax and potentially qualify the taxpayer for other AGI-based benefits. Estimated quarterly tax payments should include both income tax and self-employment tax to avoid underpayment penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FICA tax?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It is the payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare. For W-2 employees, FICA is split equally between the employee and employer -- each pays 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare. Self-employed individuals pay both halves (the self-employment tax) but can deduct the employer-equivalent portion as an above-the-line deduction on their income tax return.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
The Social Security wage base for 2026 is $168,600. This means Social Security tax (6.2% for employees, 12.4% for self-employed) only applies to the first $168,600 of earned income. Wages above this threshold are not subject to Social Security tax. The wage base is adjusted annually for inflation. There is no wage base limit for Medicare tax -- all earned income is subject to the 1.45% Medicare tax.
What is the Additional Medicare Tax?
The Additional Medicare Tax is a 0.9% surtax on earned income above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married filing jointly. Unlike regular Medicare tax, this additional tax is paid only by the employee (not matched by the employer). For self-employed individuals, the 0.9% applies in addition to the 2.9% self-employment Medicare tax, bringing the total Medicare rate to 3.8% on income above the threshold.
How does self-employment tax differ from employee FICA?
Self-employed individuals pay both the employee and employer portions of FICA, known as self-employment tax. The total rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on net self-employment income. However, self-employed workers can deduct the employer-equivalent half (7.65%) as an above-the-line deduction on their income tax return. The net SE income calculation also reduces gross income by half the SE tax rate before applying the tax.
Does investment income owe FICA tax?
No, FICA and self-employment tax only apply to earned income (wages, salaries, tips, and net self-employment income). Investment income such as dividends, interest, capital gains, and rental income is not subject to FICA. However, high-income taxpayers may owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on investment income, which is a different tax from FICA that funds the Affordable Care Act.

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