Answer:
First, we need to calculate the Social Security tax that Darby paid. Since the Social Security tax percentage was 6.2% for the first $102,000 earned, the maximum amount of Social Security tax that Darby would owe is:
0.062 x $102,000 = $6,324
However, since Darby earned $143,000, which is more than the maximum taxable earnings of $102,000, he only paid Social Security tax on the first $102,000 of his earnings. Therefore, the amount of Social Security tax that Darby paid is:
0.062 x $102,000 = $6,324
Next, we need to calculate the Medicare tax that Darby paid. Since the Medicare tax percentage was 1.45% of his entire salary of $143,000, the amount of Medicare tax that Darby paid is:
0.0145 x $143,000 = $2,073.50
Therefore, Darby paid a total of:
$6,324 + $2,073.50 = $8,397.50
in Social Security and Medicare taxes in 2008.