Payroll Deductions
Definition
Payroll deductions are amounts withheld from an employee's gross pay by the employer for taxes, insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and other mandatory or voluntary purposes.
Explanation
Payroll deductions fall into two categories: mandatory and voluntary. Mandatory deductions include federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state/local taxes. Voluntary deductions include health insurance premiums, retirement plan contributions, and flexible spending accounts.
Employers are responsible for calculating, withholding, and remitting payroll deductions to the appropriate agencies. Employees see these itemized on their pay stubs.
Example
From a $2,000 biweekly gross pay, deductions might include $250 for federal tax, $124 for Social Security, $29 for Medicare, and $100 for health insurance.