The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation
Act of 2010 that President Obama signed on Dec. 17 extended the various
"Bush tax cuts" for another two years through 2012 and extended various
expired provisions in the tax code through 2011. As a result, federal
personal income tax rates are unchanged for 2011 aside from the yearly
cost of living adjustments to the tax brackets reflecting inflation.
Under this legislation there were two important tax changes for 2011.
1.The Social Security tax withholding rate changes
Under this new act, the social security tax withholding has decreased from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for all employees for 2011. This 2 percent tax reduction is applied to employee wages up to the Social Security wage base of $106,800. Any individual earning $106,800 or more in wages in 2011 will receive a benefit of $2,136.
1.The Social Security tax withholding rate changes
Under this new act, the social security tax withholding has decreased from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for all employees for 2011. This 2 percent tax reduction is applied to employee wages up to the Social Security wage base of $106,800. Any individual earning $106,800 or more in wages in 2011 will receive a benefit of $2,136.
