Final answer:
Payroll taxes include deductions from employee wages and employer-paid taxes, covering Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes. Both the employer and employee share the costs, but the employer's contributions may indirectly affect employee wages. Proper payroll accounting is essential for compliance with federal and state tax laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Payroll Taxes and Deductions
When discussing payroll taxes, it's critical to distinguish between two types: deductions from an employee's wages and taxes paid by the employer based on the employee's wages. Deductions typically include federal and state income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare, known as withholding taxes or PAYE. Both employer and employee share in the cost of Social Security and Medicare taxes, with employees seeing 6.2% deducted for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare from their paychecks. Employers match these contributions but may pass these costs to employees indirectly through lower wages.
Independent contractors, such as those in the gig economy receiving a 1099 tax statement, must pay both the employee and employer side of payroll taxes. For proper payroll accounting and year-end entries, businesses must ensure that all payroll-related transactions are correctly recorded. This includes the payment of liabilities such as Social Security tax, Medicare tax, federal and state income tax withholdings, and other deductions like retirement savings and medical insurance payable.
Payroll taxes in the United States are assessed at different levels, including federal, state, and sometimes local jurisdictions. Employers are responsible for reporting and paying these taxes, generally on a quarterly and annual basis.