Taxpayers who make over $200,000 as individuals or $250,000 for married couples are subject to an additional 0.9 percent tax on Medicare. The Additional Medicare Tax goes toward funding features of the Affordable Care Act.
Why is there an additional Medicare tax?
The Additional Medicare Tax applies to wages, railroad retirement (RRTA) compensation, and self-employment income over certain thresholds. Employers are responsible for withholding the tax on wages and RRTA compensation in certain circumstances.
When did the 3.8% Obamacare surtax take effect?
To help fund the Affordable Care Act (also dubbed Obamacare), there was a 3.8% surtax levied against higher incomes. This specific tax took effect in 2013 and, according to the Tax Policy Center, is expected to bring in nearly 30 billion dollars of tax revenue. This surtax begins for those making just $200,000.
When do you have to pay 3.8% Medicare tax?
Their AGI is $550,000, including $350,000 in net investment income. They must pay the 3.8% Medicare tax on the lesser of (1) their $350,000 of net investment income, or (2) the amount their AGI exceeds the $250,000 threshold for married taxpayers—$300,000. Since $300,000 is less than $350,000, they’ll have to pay the 3.8% tax on $300,000.
Is there a 3.8% Medicare surtax for married couples?
There is a flat surtax of 3.8% on net investment income for married couples who earn more than $250,000 of adjusted gross income (AGI). For single filers, the threshold is just $200,000. Another example of the marriage penalty at work in our tax code. The levy is only investment income above the thresholds.
What kind of taxes do I have to pay under Obamacare?
• Individual Mandate (the tax for not purchasing insurance if you can afford it). Starting in 2014, anyone not buying “qualifying” health insurance must pay an income tax surtax at a rate of 1% or $95 in 2014, to 2.5% in 2016 on profitable income above the tax threshold.
