IR-2019-155, September 13, 2019 — The new Tax Withholding Estimator, launched last month on IRS.gov, includes user-friendly features designed to help retirees quickly and easily figure the right amount of tax to be taken out of their pension payments.
WASHINGTON — The new Tax Withholding Estimator, launched last month on IRS.gov, includes user-friendly features designed to help retirees quickly and easily figure the right amount of tax to be taken out of their pension payments.
The new tool offers retirees, as well as employees and self-employed individuals, a more user-friendly way to check their withholding. Whether they receive wages or pension payments, it helps taxpayers estimate if the right amount is being withheld from their income to cover their tax liability. The tool uses a simple, six-step question-and-answer format using information like marital or filing status, income, withholding, adjustments, deductions and credits.
To help people use the tool most effectively, the IRS is holding a free two-hour webinar on Thursday, September 19 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Among other things, the webinar will feature step-by-step instructions on how to use the new Tax Withholding Estimator and a live question-and-answer session. To sign up, visit the webinar page on IRS.gov.
A retiree can use the Tax Withholding Estimator to enter any pension income or Social Security benefits they or their spouse receive. The tool then automatically calculates the taxable portion and incorporates it into an overall estimate of their projected tax liability and withholding for the year. If a withholding change is needed, the retiree can choose a tax due of close to zero or a refund amount. The tool will then link to Form W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments, and give the retiree a specific withholding recommendation based on the option chosen. It also gives instructions on how to fill in each line of the form.
The IRS urges both pension recipients and wage-earners to do a Paycheck Checkup now and review their withholding for 2019. This is especially important for anyone who faced an unexpected tax bill or penalty when they filed earlier this year. It's also a critical step for those who made withholding adjustments in 2018 or had a major life change, such as marriage, the birth of a child, adoption or buying a home.
Social Security Tax and Witholding Calculator
Category: Social Security Tax Social Security Taxes
Social Security Taxes are based on employee wages. There are two components of social security taxes: OASDI and HI. OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and HI (Medicare's Hospital Insurance) program. OASDI has been more commonly be known as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). HI has more commonly known as Medicare. For 2017, the OASDI (FICA) tax rate is set at 6.2% of earnings with a cap at $127,200 (in 2018 this will be increasing to $128,400). The HI (Medicare) is rate is set at 1.45% and has no earnings cap. Employers must pay a matching amount for each tax component. Self employed persons must pay an amount equal to the sum of both the employeee and employer portions.
These tax calculations a-sume that you have all earnings from a single employer. It is possible to have been overwithheld for OASDI (FICA) taxes in the event that the total of all W2 earning (from multiple employers) for the year (2023) exceed $113,700. HI calculations are unaffected since they are not subject to a wage cap.
* Employment related taxes are considered a deductible company expense for employers. Most small and midsize employers are established as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or Sub S corporation. In these entity structures, income passes to the company owners and they are taxed at their personal income bracket rate. For this calculation we have used the maximum tax rate bracket for 2023 of 39.6% (althought that my change if the Bush tax cuts are extended). Get more information on tax brackets for 2023.
What is a PEO? Core services offered by PEOs Why PEOs are in demand What Companies use a PEO Before and after using a PEO Don't want to use a PEO - Get busy! Employer costs Q&A Co-Employment Contractor vs. Employee Why offer benefits Reducing UI and SUTA costs
Alabama Passes the Employers Adoption Promotion Act (APA) Florida Work Comp Insurance Rates to Decrease in 2023 Covid Pandemic Effects on Workers Compensation Insurance costs for Employers How Inflation is Affecting Small and Medium Sized Businesses Winning the Battle for Workers - How a PEO can help