Taxes & Spending

1. Taxes & Spending Payroll Deductions 4.01 – Explain taxes on income.

2. Deductions • Amount of money that is subtracted from gross earnings Equation • Gross earnings-Deductions=Net earnings (take home pay)

3. Deductions Required by Law • Federal Income Tax • Social Security Tax • State and Local Taxes • Court Ordered Deductions

4. Federal Income Tax • Based on a person’s earned income • Employers withhold taxes based on • $ amount of wages paid, • The employee’s W-4 form, status, exemptions • Federal tax tables • “Pay as you go” system for employee- • Taxes deducted from each check • Estimate of final tax due (when file tax return) • Payments sent (remitted) to the IRS www.irs.gov

5. Federal Income Tax Why do you think it is important to withhold taxpayers money as it is earned? What are the advantages for the government? and the taxpayer?

6. Form W-4, NC-4 • Federal form for employee’s withholding allowance certificate that shows the number of allowances claimed for federal income taxes. • NC-4 for North Carolina withholding Certificate ****Both forms must be filled out, signed and filed with employer before 1st paycheck is issued

7. Factors that Determine the Amount Withheld for Federal Income Taxes • Employee’s marital status • Number of exemptions claimed by the employee • Employee’s gross earnings

8. How can you qualify “EXEMPT” for withholding? • Did not have federal income tax liability in the previous year. • Expect no tax liability this year. • Has income of $700 or less including non-wage income such as interest on a savings account. • Cannot be claimed as dependent on someone else’s tax return.

9. Exemptions/Allowances • Determines the amount of income tax to be withheld for federal income taxes • The greater the number of allowances claimed, the lower the amount of income tax withheld from earnings. • * If you have a lot of children, you need more money now, not as a refund after filing your tax return.

10. Tax Table $ Tax due = $ Income (Base) x % Rate Amounts are set up on tax tables • Shows the amount of taxes to be withheld from employees each pay period based on their filing status (single, married, head of household, etc.) • Computerized payroll software programs (spreadsheets) use tax tables to calculate payroll

11. Social Security TaxFICA - Federal Insurance Contributions Act Employers collect/match FICA for the federal government. Provides income for RSDHI: • Retirement (Old Age) Programs • Survivor’s Benefits Programs • Disability Insurance Programs • Health Insurance- Medicare Program (for age =>65 years old) www.ssa.gov

12. FICA • Federal Insurance Contributions Act (1935) • Established the present social security system • Employers and employees both contribute • DO NOT EXPECT FICA TO TAKE CARE OF YOU IN RETIREMENT! Save your own nest egg and supplement with FICA. • How to calculate FICA – base x rate • $ Income (base) x 7.65% (FICA rate)

13. FICA Taxes • Social Security 6.2% (1998 – maximum taxable earnings amount was $68,400) • Medicare 1.45% (no maximum taxable earnings amount) Total FICA Taxes = 7.65% withheld (deducted) from employee andmatched by employer .0765 x 2 = 15.3% of every check sent to Federal Government Social Security account in your name

14. State and Local Income Taxes • MOST states and cities tax the earnings of the people who live and work within their boundaries • In some states and cities, tax rates are a set % of gross earnings, like social security. • NC Department of Revenue collects income taxes • How do I calculate state tax? Rate x Base • $Income earned (base) x NC Rate (from tax tables)

15. Other Involuntary Deductions • Garnishment of wages- court orders employer to deduct from employee’s payroll • Child support • Alimony • Lawsuits • Old tax debt owed • Maximum garnishment of wages = 25%

16. Common Voluntary Deductions • Health Insurance • Dental Insurance • Vision Insurance • Life Insurance • Disability Insurance • 401K, 403B, IRA retirement plans • Charitable Contributions • U.S. Savings Bonds • Union Dues • Credit Union Deposits • Credit Union Loan Payments

17. Form W-2 • Reports employee’s income earned in the previous calendar year and how much money was withheld for state & federal taxes. • Employers are required to give all employees a copy of the W-2 Form by January 31st. • Used to file individual tax return • Form 1040 or 1040 EZ by April 15th.

18. Individual Income Tax Return • All income taxes (federal, state, local) are withheld from payroll by estimates • The W-4 or NC-4 are used to calculate the estimated tax • After year end, 12-31, individuals must file a tax return (1040, or 1040- EZ) • Tax returns compares the estimated tax paid to the actual tax due • Individuals either owe $ or get $ back.

19. Corporate Tax Returns • Corporations pay tax on their profit • Profit = income - tax deductible expenses • Use form 1120 to file return • May file using a fiscal year not calendar year • Ex: A corp chooses fiscal year 4-1 through 3-31 • Spreads tax returns throughout the year, not just April 15 • Allows business to plan around a busy time of year