FICA Limits
The 2021 social security wage base is $142,800, up from $137,700 in 2020. The social security tax rate for employees is 6.2% and the employer portion remains the same at 6.2%. The maximum social security tax employees pay in 2021 is $8,853.60 and the employers pay is $8,853.60, both up from $8,537.40 in 2020.
Qualified Transportation Expenses
IRS Section 132(f) limitations on excludable income for transportation fringe benefits that may be excluded from employee's income, federal employment taxes, FIT, FICA and FUTA are:
- $270.00 for van pools/car pooling /mass transit/bus passes
- $270.00 for parking
Personal Income Tax
The 2021 standard deduction will be:
- $12,550 for single taxpayers
- $25,100 for married taxpayers filing jointly
- $18,800 for heads of households
The supplemental wage taxation percentage is 22%.
Standard Mileage Rates
The IRS issued documentation giving the optional mileage rates for use in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes.
- Business Mileage Rate – 56 cents per mile
- Medical Care or Moving Expenses – 16 cents per mile
- Deduction for Charitable Use of an Automobile – 14 cents per mile
Medicare
There is no limit to the wages subject to the Medicare tax. All covered wages are subject to a 1.45% tax. For employees' wages over $200,000, the tax increases by 0.9% to 2.35%.
Adoption
The adoption expense exclusion from employee income in employer-provided qualified adoption program in 2021 is $14,400, increased from $14,300 in 2020.
Internal Revenue Code Annual Limits on 401(k) Plan Compensation and Contributions
- The limit on combined pre-tax and Roth after-tax contributions in 2021 is $19,500, no change from 2020.
- The limit on catch-up contributions for individual age 50 or older is $6,500, no change from 2020.
- The limit on total employee plus employer contributions, i.e. “annual additions,” is $58,000 (excluding catch-up contributions).
- The limit on compensation used for calculating employer match and employer contributions is $290,000 (or $430,000 if first participated in the plan prior to 1/1/96).
