<P> Federal social insurance taxes are imposed on employers and employees , ordinarily consisting of a tax of 12.4 % of wages up to an annual wage maximum ( $118,500 in wages , for a maximum contribution of $14,694 in 2016 ) for Social Security and a tax of 2.9 % ( half imposed on employer and half withheld from the employee 's pay ) of all wages for Medicare . The Social Security tax is divided into 6.2 % that is visible to employees ( the `` employee contribution '' ) and 6.2 % that is visible only to employers ( the `` employers contribution '' ) . For the years 2011 and 2012 , the employee 's contribution had been temporarily reduced to 4.2 % , while the employer 's portion remained at 6.2 % , but Congress allowed the rate to return to 6.2 % for the individual in 2013 . To the extent an employee 's portion of the 6.2 % tax exceeded the maximum by reason of multiple employers , the employee is entitled to a refundable tax credit upon filing an income tax return for the year . </P>
<P> Federal social insurance taxes are imposed on employers and employees , ordinarily consisting of a tax of 12.4 % of wages up to an annual wage maximum ( $118,500 in wages , for a maximum contribution of $14,694 in 2016 ) for Social Security and a tax of 2.9 % ( half imposed on employer and half withheld from the employee 's pay ) of all wages for Medicare . The Social Security tax is divided into 6.2 % that is visible to employees ( the `` employee contribution '' ) and 6.2 % that is visible only to employers ( the `` employers contribution '' ) . For the years 2011 and 2012 , the employee 's contribution had been temporarily reduced to 4.2 % , while the employer 's portion remained at 6.2 % , but Congress allowed the rate to return to 6.2 % for the individual in 2013 . To the extent an employee 's portion of the 6.2 % tax exceeded the maximum by reason of multiple employers , the employee is entitled to a refundable tax credit upon filing an income tax return for the year . </P>
what percentage of gross income is withheld as an employee 's contribution to social security
what percentage of gross income is withheld as an employee 's contribution to social security
12.4 % of wages up to an annual wage maximum
12.4 % of wages up to an annual wage maximum