Wage Threshold Changes Under Federal Tax Law
Posted on December 28th, 2011 in category Announcements, Employer Information, Payroll and Tax Tips | 1 Comment
For 2012, the domestic employee wage threshold under Federal law for paying Social Security taxes will rise to $1,800. Earnings below this amount will not be subject to Social Security taxes. This limit is up from $1,700 in 2011. Under California law, the thresholds will stay at $750 and $1000. Specifically: You must register with the Employment Development Department (EDD) as a household employer for California payroll tax purposes when you have paid cash wages totaling $750 or more in one calendar quarter to one or more people who work as employees in or around your home. The amount of wages you pay in a calendar quarter will determine the payroll taxes you are required to withhold and pay. If you pay … – $750 to $999, then you have to withhold State Disability Insurance (SDI). – $1,000 or more, then you have to withhold SDI, PLUS pay Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Employment Training Tax (ETT). Thus, if you, as an employer, pay more than $750 in a quarter or $1,800 in a year, you will have some tax reporting requirements.
