Additional Medicare Tax on High Earners, Effective 2013 |
Effective for taxable years after December 31, 2012, the Medicare tax rate will increase 0.9% (for employee withholding only) from 1.45% to 2.35% on wages paid over $200,000. There is no employer match for the additional Medicare tax as there is with the regular Medicare tax.
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An individual is liable for additional Medicare tax if the individual’s wages, other compensation, or self-employment income (together with that of his or her spouse if filing a joint return) exceed the threshold amount for the individual’s filing status: |
Filing Status |
Threshold Amount |
Married filing jointly |
$250,000 |
Married filing separately |
$125,000 |
Single |
$200,000 |
Head of household |
$200,000 |
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An employee cannot request that the employer deduct and withhold Additional Medicare Tax on wages of $200,000 or less. However, an employee who anticipates liability for Additional Medicare Tax may submit a new Form W-4 requesting additional income tax withholding. An employee might request additional income tax withholding on wages not in excess of $200,000 if, for example, the employee is married and files a joint return and anticipates liability for Additional Medicare Tax because combined wages of the employee and his or her spouse will exceed $250,000. |