Millions of Big Earners Should Expect Higher Payroll Taxes in ‘17

shutterstock_260489408

 

For those who have been excited to see their tax bill go down under a Trump administration, there might be cause for some concern, especially for some of the country’s highest earners. That’s because for the millions of workers who pass a certain threshold a tax hike is coming. So why the increase?

First, this change was in place before President Trump won the election in November. This scheduled change comes in the form of an adjustment to Social Security payroll taxes, and it will affect a lot of high earners. Over the past several years, workers have paid a 6.2 percent payroll tax to Social Security, which is matched by employers and automatically deducted from their paychecks.

That number will remain the same in 2017, but there is a catch. It used to be that workers only paid that amount on the first $118,500 they earned for the year. This year, that threshold increases to $127,200. That will amount to hundreds of dollars for anyone affected. Meantime, for self-employment workers, the news is even worse because they are forced to pay the full Social Security tax themselves without splitting the cost with an employer.

So how many people are we talking about? Anyone that makes less than $118,500 won’t be affected but the estimated 12 million workers that make more than that will see a hit, which amounts to one of the biggest changes in the tax code in nearly 30 years.

http://time.com/money/4628475/payroll-taxes-social-security-2017/

Posted in
invest

Systematic Investing: Retirement Plan Opportunities

Systematic Investing: Retirement Plan Opportunities Tax-deferred retirement plans, especially the popular 401(k) plans, have become the key to building financial independence through regular, systematic investing. Take full advantage of your opportunities. Self-employed? Start your own retirement plan. Employed by others but not covered by a retirement plan? If neither you nor your spouse has access…

RETIREMENT PLAN PENALTIES: FAILING TO MAKE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION (RMD)

Retirement Plan Penalties: Failing To Make the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)

Retirement Plan Penalties: Failing To Make the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Failing to make the Required Minimum Distribution from a retirement plan can result in one of the IRS’ highest penalties. Take these steps to help your senior clients avoid the penalties. Mary Kay Foss, CPA Director Greenstein Rogoff Olsen & Co. LLP One of…

Career Advice Young Individuals Need To Know

Career Advice Young Individuals Need To Know

Although everyone’s career path is unique, there is career advice all young individuals need to know. For many young people the reality of choosing a career path after college can be very daunting. Unlike students with fairly clear career paths, like those who graduate from law school or medical school, most other students face a…

taxable Gift Tax: Tips from the IRS

Taxable and Nontaxable Income

Taxable and Nontaxable Income Most types of income are taxable, but some are not. Income can include money, property or services that you receive. Here are some examples of income that are usually not taxable: Child support payments; Gifts, bequests and inheritances; Welfare benefits; Damage awards for physical injury or sickness; Cash rebates from a…