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Reduced SS Withholding Rate for 2011 Only

On December 22, 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. The information in this article predates the tax reform legislation and may not apply to tax returns starting in the 2018 tax year. You may wish to speak to your tax advisor about the latest tax law. This publication is provided for your convenience and does not constitute legal advice. This publication is protected by copyright.

Reduced SS Withholding Rate for 2011 Only

If you noticed an increase in your take-home pay this year, it is probably the result of a reduction in Social Security withholding.  But don't get too accustomed to it; the reduced Social Security withholding is only temporary.  

As part of a government economic stimulus measure, the employee's share of Social Security payroll withholding is reduced to 4.2%, down 2% from the normal rate of 6.2%.  The reduction is for one year only (2011) and will return to the 6.2% in 2012.  

For individuals receiving the maximum wage, this translates to a $2,136 (2% of $106,800) reduction in withholding during the year.  Self-employed individuals enjoy a similar benefit, but that too goes away after 2011.

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