The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (the “Act”) was signed into law on February 22, 2012. The legislation extends, through the end of 2012, the two percentage point payroll tax cut for employees and self-employed individuals that had been in place for 2011 and the first two months of 2012.
Background
As part of an economic stimulus law, the Social Security payroll tax for 2011 was reduced by two percentage points, from 6.2% to 4.2%. A similar reduction was applied to the self-employment tax for self-employed individuals. At the end of last year, those payroll and self-employment tax cuts were extended for two months, through February 2012.
Payroll Tax Cut Extended Through 2012
For the balance of 2012 only, employees will continue to pay a 4.2% Social Security tax rate on wages up to $110,100 (the 2012 Social Security Wage Base). Similarly, the Act reduces the tax rate for the Social Security portion of self-employment tax on self-employment net earnings up to $110,100.
Therefore, the maximum savings for employees and self-employed individuals in 2012 will be $2,202 (i.e., 2% of $110,100). For spouses who both earn at least as much as the Social Security Wage Base in 2012, the maximum savings will be $4,404.
Note that employers continue to pay the full employer portion of Social Security taxes for their employees. Contact your Condley and Company, L.L.P. professional adviser to help you determine how the extension affects you or your business.