--- title: FICA Employer Rate | Small Business Accounting Services | Ignite Spot description: Curious about the FICA employer rate? Leading bookkeeping outsourcing firm Ignite Spot has all the information you need to meet your tax obligations easily! --- [**Call us at   1-855-694-4648           ** ](tel:1-855-694-4648) [![squareyoutube_copy](https://www.ignitespot.com/hubfs/2021_IgniteSpot/YOUTUBE.png "youtube")](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCimfeJCvdyYVasnJCdMQhsw) [![facebook](https://www.ignitespot.com/hubfs/2021_IgniteSpot/FACEBOOK.png "facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/ignitespot/) [![IgniteSpot_logo](https://www.ignitespot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021_IgniteSpot/IgniteSpot_logo.png?width=187&height=72&name=IgniteSpot_logo.png "IgniteSpot_logo")](https://ignitespot.com) [![IgniteSpot Logo](https://www.ignitespot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021_IgniteSpot/IgniteSpot_logo.png?width=187&height=72&name=IgniteSpot_logo.png) ](https://www.ignitespot.com/) Menu ☰ ## Employer FICA Rates Written by [Eddy Hood](https://www.ignitespot.com/eddy-hood) FICA, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, helps to sustain some of the core programs that support retired and disabled individuals, as well as children of deceased workers, in the United States. Under FICA, a certain percentage of an employee's salary is withheld annually. This money is used by the federal government to fund Social Security and Medicare. The employer must match this contribution for each employee. The percentage contributed by the employer is often referred to as the FICA employer rate or the employer FICA rate. **The FICA Employer Rate and How it Breaks Down** The employer FICA rate is a major consideration for the payroll departments of any businesses that have employees. It can be useful to know exactly how much is typically withheld for FICA and where it all ends up. Understanding the breakdown of FICA taxes will help you plan your payroll better. FICA contributions are broken down as follows: 1. **Social Security Tax**: As of 2014, the employer must contribute 6.2% of an employee's salary to match the 6.2% withheld from the employee's wages. 2. **Regular Medicare Tax**: As of 2014, the employer must contribute 1.45% of an employee's salary to match the 1.45% withheld from the employee's wages. 3. **Medicare Surcharge**: Do you have employees who make more than $200,000 in salary each year? If so, there's an additional surcharge of 0.9% for each of these employees. This was initiated in 2013. Note that there is an annual "wage cap" on the amount that you are obligated to contribute for Social Security taxes. This amount rises every year based on inflation. For example, in 2013, employers would withhold 6.2% of an employee's wages, up to $113,700, and match that contribution. In 2014, the wage cap increased to $117,000 and it is expected to continue growing. The rules around FICA withholding can vary; for example, they are different when you are considering the wages paid to employees who also receive tips. Whatever the circumstances, however, it is important for employers to meet their FICA tax obligations. Failing to withhold a sufficient amount of employee wages for FICA can leave you in non-compliance and might expose you to significant tax liabilities and other negative consequences that can be devastating to your business. A sound bookkeeping strategy is absolutely essential. At Ignite Spot, we are dedicated to providing outsourced accounting, financial reporting, and tax return services for small business owners. With our services, small business owners can stop worrying about accounting and spent more time running the businesses they love. Thanks to our business partnership with Paychex, when you use our services, you also get the best in payroll services! To learn more about how we can help your business grow, simply download our convenient pricing guide or contact us online or by phone today. We look forward to helping you! **Learn More About FICA and Small Business Accounting Services from Ignite Spot ** 1. [Payroll for Small Business from Ignite Spot](https://www.ignitespot.com/payroll-for-small-business) 2. [Outsourced Financial Reporting Services](https://www.ignitespot.com/outsourced-financial-reporting) 3. 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