Educational use only. This guide is for
general educational purposes and is not financial, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax
rules can change and individual facts matter. Verify the information with official
sources and a qualified professional before making tax or financial decisions.
Calculation
Social Security uses FICA wages, not federal taxable income. Medical, FSA, and HSA deductions reduce the wage base in this guide; 401(k) contributions do not.
Social Security wages = total gross wages - pre-tax medical - pre-tax
FSA - pre-tax HSA
Taxable Social Security wages = min(Social Security wages, $184,500)
Social Security tax = taxable Social Security wages × 6.2%
Taxable Social Security wages = min(Social Security wages, $184,500)
Social Security tax = taxable Social Security wages × 6.2%
| 2026 item | Value |
|---|---|
| Employee rate | 6.2% |
| Wage base | $184,500 |
| Maximum employee Social Security tax | $11,439.00 |