Understanding annual limits is crucial for accurate payroll management. Federal, state, and local tax agencies set specific annual limits for payroll deductions and taxes.
Payroll taxes change annually based on federal limits. Reaching these thresholds affects an employee's net pay: take-home pay may increase once Social Security limits are met or decrease if the Additional Medicare Tax threshold is crossed.
2026 Tax Summary
Tax Type | Employee Rate | Employer Rate | 2026 Wage Base |
Social Security | 6.2% | 6.2% | $181,200 |
Medicare | 1.45% | 1.45% | No Limit |
Additional Medicare | 0.9% | N/A | Over $200,000 |
Key Rules for Employers
Social Security (OASDI)
The Limit: Once an employee’s 2026 earnings exceed $181,200, stop withholding Social Security tax for the rest of the year.
New Hires: The wage base limit applies per employer. Even if a new hire reached the limit at a previous job, you must restart withholdings from $0 based on the wages you pay them.
Medicare & Additional Medicare
Standard Medicare: A 1.45% tax applies to all wages with no ceiling.
Additional Tax: You must withhold an extra 0.9% from employee wages once they exceed $200,000 in a calendar year. There is no employer match for this additional tax.
For official technical details, visit the Social Security Administration limits page.
Deduction limits
Deductions play a crucial role in calculating an employee’s check.
Various deductions, when appropriately configured, can offer benefits to an employee's take-home pay.
Pre-tax deductions are typically Section 125 plans for health insurance and deferred compensation for retirement contributions.
Ages over 50 have a $7500 catch-up, and ages 60 - 63 have a $11,250 catch-up limit starting in 2025.
Retirement deduction limits
Deduction | 2025 Limit | 2026 Limit |
401(k) | $23,500 | $24,500 |
401(k) Catch-Up (50 and older) | $7,500 (Total: $31,000) | $8,000 (Total: 32,500) |
401(k) Catch-Up (ages: 60, 61, 62, and 63) | $11,250 (Total: $34,750) | $11,250 (Total: 35,750) |
403(b) | $23,500 | $24,500 |
403(b) Catch-Up (50 and older) | $7,500 | $8,000 (Total: 32,500) |
403(b) Catch-Up (ages: 60, 61, 62, and 63) | $23,000 | $11,250 (Total: 35,750) |
457(b) Catch-Up (eligibility determined by plan) | $7,500 |
|
457(b) Special Catch-up (eligibility determined by plan) | Up to $30,500 |
|
Simple IRA | $16,500 | $17,000 |
Simple IRA Catch-Up (50 and older) | $3,500 | $4,000 |
Roth IRA | $7,000 | $7,500 |
Roth IRA Catch-Up | $1,000 | $1,100 |
Learn more about the amount individuals can contribute to their retirement savings in 2025 here.
Health deduction limits
Deduction | 2025 Limit | 2026 Limit |
HSA (self) | $4,300 | $4,400 |
HSA (family) | $8,650 | $8,750 |
HSA Catch-Up (55 and older) | $1,000 | $1,000 |
FSA (self) | $3,250 | $3,400 |
FSA - Dependent care (single, married file jointly) | $5,000 | $7,500 |
FSA - Dependent care (married filing separately) | $2,500 | $3,750 |
Unemployment wage base limit
The unemployment wage base limit represents the taxable wages that employers must compute and contribute towards unemployment taxes. The FUTA wage base limit stands at $7,000. Employers are liable to pay FUTA taxes on the first $7,000 of wages paid to each employee. This wage base limit resets annually on January 1.
The state unemployment (SUI) wage base limit varies from state to state, and in some cases, states may adjust the wage base limit on an annual basis.
SUI wage base limits for each state
State | 2025 Wage Base Limit | 2026 Wage Base Limit |
$8,000 | $8,000 | |
$51,200 | $54,200 | |
$8,000 | $8,000 | |
$7,000 | $7,000 | |
$7,000 | $7,000 | |
$27,200 | $30,600 | |
$26,500 | $27,000 | |
$10,500 | $14,500 | |
$9,000 | $9,000 | |
$7,000 | $7,000 | |
$9,500 | $9,500 | |
$62,000 | $64,500 | |
$55,900 | $58,300 | |
$13,590 | $14,250 | |
$9,500 | $9,500 | |
$39,400 | $20,400 | |
$14,000 | $15,100 | |
$11,400 | $12,000 | |
$7,700 | $7,000 | |
$12,500 | $12,500 | |
$8,500 | $8,500 | |
$15,000 | $15,000 | |
$9,500 | $9,500 | |
$43,000 | $44,000 | |
$14,000 | $14,000 | |
$10,000 | $10,000 | |
$44,800 | $47,300 | |
$9,000 $20,000, for employers assigned with Tax Category 20. | $9,000 $20,000, for employers assigned with Tax Category 20. | |
$41,800 | $43,700 | |
$14,500 | $14,500 | |
$43,700 | $44,800 | |
$32,800 | $32,800 | |
$13,000 | $13,000 | |
$32,500 | $34,200 | |
$44,500 | $46,600 | |
$9,000 | $9,000 | |
$28,200 | $25,000 | |
$54,100 | $56,700 | |
$10,000 | $10,000 | |
$28,200 (Tier I) $30,500 (Tier II) | 30,800 | |
$14,500 | $14,500 | |
$15,500 | $15,500 | |
$7,000 | $7,000 | |
Texas | $9,000 | $9,000 |
$48,600 | $49,800 | |
$14,900 | $15,400 | |
$8,000 | $8,000 | |
$70,900 | $78,200 | |
$9,000 | $9,000 | |
$14,500 | $14,500 | |
$31,700 | $33,800 |
Employee state unemployment wage base limits
In some states, employees contribute directly to state unemployment insurance (SUI). This differs from the typical setup where only employers contribute. Here are more details about these states:
Alaska
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
When an employee working in Alaska or New Jersey hits the SUI wage base limit in a calendar year, no further tax deductions will be taken from their paycheck.
State | Tax Type | 2026 Wage Base | 2026 Rate | Max Annual Tax |
Alaska | Unemployment (SUI) | $54,200 | 0.50% | $271.00 |
New Jersey | Unemployment (UI) | $44,800 | 0.425%* | $190.40 |
| Disability (TDI) | $171,100 | 0.19% | $325.09 |
| Family Leave (FLI) | $171,100 | 0.23% | $393.53 |
Pennsylvania | Unemployment (SUI) | Unlimited | 0.07% | N/A |
Rhode Island | Disability (TDI) | $100,000 | 1.1% | $1,100.00 |
FAQ
Can an employee request additional withholding specifically for Additional Medicare Tax?
No. However, if the employee anticipates owing additional Medicare tax, they may request additional income tax withholding when they complete their W-4.
How do I stop FICA for an employee who has already reached the annual limit?
FICA limits are determined based on an employee's work with a single employer. When hiring an employee who has either reached or is nearing the wage base limits for FICA taxes, it's important to treat them like any other new hire.
How do I process a check to max out a 401(k)?
Check out How to Make a Lump Sum 401K Contribution for details on preparing a check to max out your 401(k).
Are there other taxes that have wage limits that may impact an employee’s net pay?
Several states have taxes for programs set up for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), State Disability Insurance (SDI), or Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI). These taxes can impact the employee’s net pay once they reach the wage base limits.
These states include California (SDI), Connecticut (PFML), Massachusetts (PFML), New York (PFL, SDI), Rhode Island (TDI), Washington (PFL), and the District of Columbia (PFL).