Taxes & Government FeesStandard & 0.9% High Earner

Medicare Tax Calculator

Calculate standard Medicare tax (1.45% W-2 / 2.9% self-employed) and the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on high earners with no wage caps.

Medicare Standard & Additional Surtax

Standard Medicare Tax
$4,060.00
0.9% Surtax Amount
$720.00
Total Medicare Tax
$4,780.00
Effective Medicare Rate
1.71%

Medicare & Surtax Formula

Standard Medicare = Wages × 1.45% (or 2.9% SE) | Additional Medicare = max(0, Wages − Threshold) × 0.9% | Threshold = $200k (Single) / $250k (MFJ)
  • No Wage Cap: Unlike Social Security, standard Medicare tax applies to 100% of earned income without any upper dollar ceiling.
  • Additional Medicare Tax: Established under the ACA, an extra 0.9% tax applies to earned wages exceeding $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Step-by-Step Worked Example

Scenario:

Calculation Steps:

    Result:

    How to Use This Calculator

      Assumptions & Limitations

      • Employers do not match the 0.9% Additional Medicare tax; it is paid entirely by the employee.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Does the employer match the 0.9% Additional Medicare tax?

      No. The employer only matches the standard 1.45% rate. The 0.9% Additional Medicare surtax is an employee-only responsibility.

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