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  What is the Social Security tax rate?
  Question
  What is the Social Security tax (AKA FICA) rate?
  Answer
 

The 2009 contribution rate, also known as the FICA tax rate, is 7.65% for employees and 15.30% for self-employed people. The rates are broken out as follows:

  • 6.2% (Social Security portion) on earnings up to the maximum taxable amount ($106,800 in 2009)
  • 1.45% (Medicare portion) on all earnings.

The maximum Social Security tax withheld in 2009 is $6,621.60.

Set by law, these rates haven't changed since 1990.

Maximum Earnings Taxable
Program 2007 2008 2009
Social Security

$97,500

$102,000

$106,800
Medicare No Limit for any year after 1993

You may also see a history of the FICA tax rate. 
 
 
 
  
 
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