When you get your paycheck, you’ll always see “FICA” listed among the deductions. These payroll taxes fund Social Security and Medicare, and every employee pays them. Knowing how to calculate FICA yourself helps you understand exactly how much is taken out of each check and why.
What Are FICA Taxes?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It includes two parts:
- Social Security tax – 6.2% of your wages, up to the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2025).
- Medicare tax – 1.45% of all wages, with no cap.
- Additional Medicare tax – 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
Together, the standard employee share is 7.65% of your gross pay. Employers also contribute the same amount on your behalf. Before signing your employment contract, calculate your paycheck to know exactly how much you’ll be earning in hand.
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate FICA on Your Paycheck
1. Start With Gross Pay
This is your total earnings before any deductions.
- Example: $1,500 weekly gross pay.
2. Calculate Social Security (6.2%)
Multiply your gross pay by 6.2%, unless you’ve already reached the wage base limit for the year.
- $1,500 × 0.062 = $93
3. Calculate Medicare (1.45%)
Apply 1.45% to your gross pay.
- $1,500 × 0.0145 = $21.75
4. Check for Additional Medicare
If your year-to-date earnings are over the threshold, apply an extra 0.9% on the excess.
- Not triggered in this example.
5. Add Them Together
- Social Security: $93
- Medicare: $21.75
- Total FICA deduction = $114.75
So, from a $1,500 paycheck, about $115 goes to FICA.
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Example Paycheck Breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $1,500 |
| – Social Security (6.2%) | –$93.00 |
| – Medicare (1.45%) | –$21.75 |
| Total FICA Deduction | $114.75 |
| Net (before other taxes) | $1,385.25 |
Key Rules About FICA
- Wage base cap: Once you earn above $176,100 (2025), you stop paying the 6.2% Social Security tax for the rest of the year.
- Medicare has no cap: You’ll always pay 1.45% on all wages.
- Employer match: Your employer contributes the same 7.65%, doubling the money going into the system.
- Self-employed: You pay both the employee and employer share (15.3%), called SECA.
FAQs About FICA Taxes
What does FICA mean on my paycheck? It’s the combined Social Security and Medicare tax.
Does contributing to a 401(k) reduce FICA? No, FICA applies to gross pay before retirement deductions.
Do bonuses and overtime count? Yes, most forms of compensation are subject to FICA.
What happens if I reach the Social Security cap? Only Medicare continues to be withheld.
Are FICA taxes refundable? No, they fund federal benefit programs.
Bettye is the creator of CityPaycheckCalculator.com, a resource designed to help individuals quickly and accurately estimate their take-home pay across U.S. cities. With a strong focus on clarity, accuracy, and user experience, Bettye provides reliable paycheck calculators and helpful insights to support smarter financial decisions. Her mission is to make complex payroll and tax information simple and accessible for everyone.