FICA Tax Calculator
Work out Social Security and Medicare tax taken from your pay.
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How to do it
- 1Fill in the boxes
Type your numbers or pick the options you need.
- 2See the result
The answer updates right away as you change a value.
- 3Use it
Copy the result or note it down. Nothing is sent anywhere.
About this tool
Enter your yearly wages. The calculator applies Social Security at 6.2 percent up to the wage base and Medicare at 1.45 percent, plus the additional 0.9 percent Medicare tax over $200,000, and shows the matching employer share. Figures are for the 2026 tax year and can change. A guide only, check irs.gov or a tax professional.
What FICA is
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. Social Security funds retirement and disability benefits, and Medicare funds health insurance for older adults. Employees and employers each pay 7.65 percent of wages up to the Social Security wage base of $184,500 in 2026.
Example
On $75,000 of wages, Social Security is $4,650 and Medicare is $1,088, a total of $5,738 or 7.65 percent. The employer pays the same amount again.
Not included
This is separate from federal and state income tax. The self-employed pay both halves, see the self-employment tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my paycheck smaller than expected?
FICA at 7.65 percent comes off before income tax withholding.
Is there a limit?
Social Security stops at the wage base. Medicare has no limit.
Is the additional Medicare tax paid by the employer?
No. The extra 0.9 percent is paid by the employee only, above $200,000.
Does a 401(k) reduce FICA?
No. 401(k) deferrals reduce income tax but are still subject to FICA.