2022 Payroll Tax & Contribution Limits
below are updated tax facts for 2022 to reference for planning your year.
Social Security tax
The Social Security tax rate in 2022 is unchanged from the year before – remaining 6.2% for employers and employees. However, the Social Security wage base has increased to $147,000 for employers and employees, an increase from $142,800 in 2021.
Medicare tax
There is no change to the Medicare tax rate for for employers and employees in 2022. It remains 1.45% of all wages.
401(k) limits
In 2022, traditional and safe harbor plans, the maximum contributions are:
| Type/age | 2022 contribution | 2021 contribution |
| Employee/age 49 or younger | $20,500 | $19,500 |
| Employee catch-up/age 50 and older | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| Employee and employer/ age 49 or younger | $61,000 | $58,000 |
| Employee and employer/age 50 or older | $67,500 | $64,500 |
In 2022, employees can contribute an extra $500 for a total of $14,000 to a SIMPLE 401(k) plan.
Health Savings Accounts & High-Deductible Health Plan Limits
In 2022, the maximum contributions to an HSA account are as follows:
| Employer and employee | Self | Family |
| $3,650 | $7,300 |
Catch-up amount (age 55 or older) = $1,000.
In 2022, the limits for a HDHP are as follows:
| Employer and employee | Self | Family |
| Minimum deductibles | $1,400 | $2,800 |
| Maximum out-of-pocket amounts | $7,050 | $14,100 |
Flexible Spending Account
In 2022, employees can contribute the following to their FSA:
- Up to $2,850 to a FSA, which is up from $2,750 in 2021
- Up to $5,000 to a dependent care FSA if filing single or jointly, and up to $2,500 if married but filing separately. The American Rescue Plan temporarily raised the dependent care FSA limits to $10,500 and $5,250, respectively. These increases do not apply in 2022.
- $5,450 (self only), an increase from $5,300 in 2021
- $11,050 (family), an increase from $10,700 in 2021