Proposed Regulations Issued on Additional Medicare Tax

Courtesy of the IRS

A new Additional Medicare Tax goes into effect starting in 2013. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies to an individual’s wages, Railroad Retirement Tax Act compensation, and self-employment income that exceeds a threshold amount based on the individual’s filing status.

The threshold amounts are:

• $250,000 for married taxpayers who file jointly, • $125,000 for married taxpayers who file separately, and • $200,000 for all other taxpayers.

An employer is responsible for withholding the Additional Medicare Tax from wages or compensation it pays to an employee in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year.

The IRS and the Treasury Department have issued proposed regulations on the Additional Medicare Tax. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail or hand delivered to the IRS.

For additional information on the Additional Medicare Tax, see our questions and answers.