U.S. · Payroll tax 2027
2027 FICA payroll tax rates.
Social Security and Medicare rates, the 2027 wage base, and what employees, employers and the self-employed pay.
For 2027, employees and employers each pay 6.2% Social Security tax on the first $192,300 of wages (up from $184,500) and 1.45% Medicare tax on all wages. That caps Social Security tax at $11,922.60 each. Employers withhold an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages over $200,000, with no employer match. The self-employed pay both halves: 15.3%.
Your numbers
Result
2027 rates and caps
| Employee | Employer | Self-employed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security rate | 6.2% | 6.2% | 12.4% |
| Social Security wage base | $192,300 | $192,300 | $192,300 (less any wages) |
| Maximum Social Security tax | $11,922.60 | $11,922.60 | $23,845.20 |
| Medicare rate (no cap) | 1.45% | 1.45% | 2.9% |
| Additional Medicare Tax | 0.9% over the threshold | None (no match) | 0.9% over the threshold |
The $192,300 wage base is SSA's 2027 “contribution and benefit base,” up $7,800 (4.2%) from $184,500 in 2026. It is the most earnings Social Security tax applies to, and also the most counted when benefits are figured. Medicare tax has no cap.
Additional Medicare Tax thresholds
An employer must begin withholding the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax in the pay period that wages pass $200,000 and keeps withholding through year end, whatever the employee's filing status. The tax you actually owe is figured on Form 8959 using these thresholds, so it can be refunded or owed at filing:
| Filing status | Medicare wages and self-employment income above |
|---|---|
| Married filing jointly | $250,000 |
| Married filing separately | $125,000 |
| All other filers | $200,000 |
Worked example
Wages of $250,000 in 2027. Social Security: 6.2% × $192,300 = $11,922.60. Medicare: 1.45% × $250,000 = $3,625. Additional Medicare withheld: 0.9% × ($250,000 − $200,000) = $450. Total withheld: $15,997.60. The employer separately pays $15,547.60.
Self-employed
Self-employment tax is 12.4% for Social Security plus 2.9% for Medicare, applied to 92.35% of net earnings, and you can deduct half of it on Form 1040. The Social Security part stops at the same $192,300 wage base, reduced by any wages you also earned. Use the 2027 self-employment tax calculator for the full figure.
Sources
Primary sources opened and checked on November 1, 2026. Figures are for 2027 unless a source says otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Social Security wage base for 2027?
$192,300, up from $184,500 in 2026, per the SSA notice published October 26, 2026.
What is the maximum Social Security tax in 2027?
$11,922.60 for an employee and the same for the employer (6.2% of $192,300). A self-employed person with no wages pays up to $23,845.20.
Is there a cap on Medicare tax?
No. The 1.45% employee and 1.45% employer rates apply to all wages.
Does my employer pay Additional Medicare Tax?
No. The IRS says there is no employer match for the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax. Employers only withhold it from wages over $200,000.
What is the FICA rate for the self-employed?
15.3% in total: 12.4% Social Security and 2.9% Medicare, on 92.35% of net earnings from self-employment.
Not tax advice
This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules change and your facts may differ. Confirm anything that matters with the agency, a CPA or an enrolled agent before you act. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.