§ 3111. Rate of tax

§ 3111. Rate of tax

(a) Old-age, survivors, and disability insurance In addition to other taxes, there is hereby imposed on every employer an excise tax, with respect to having individuals in his employ, equal to 6.2 percent of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) paid by the employer with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b)).

(b) Hospital insurance In addition to the tax imposed by the preceding subsection, there is hereby imposed on every employer an excise tax, with respect to having individuals in his employ, equal to 1.45 percent of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) paid by the employer with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b)).

(c) Relief from taxes in cases covered by certain international agreements During any period in which there is in effect an agreement entered into pursuant to section 233 of the Social Security Act with any foreign country, wages received by or paid to an individual shall be exempt from the taxes imposed by this section to the extent that such wages are subject under such agreement exclusively to the laws applicable to the social security system of such foreign country.

[(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(b)(34), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1204]

(e) Credit for employment of qualified veterans

(1) In general If a qualified tax-exempt organization hires a qualified veteran with respect to whom a credit would be allowable under section 38 by reason of section 51 if the organization were not a qualified tax-exempt organization, then there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subsection (a) on wages paid with respect to employment of all employees of the organization during the applicable period an amount equal to the credit determined under section 51 (after application of the modifications under paragraph (3)) with respect to wages paid to such qualified veteran during such period.

(2) Overall limitation The aggregate amount allowed as a credit under this subsection for all qualified veterans for any period with respect to which tax is imposed under subsection (a) shall not exceed the amount of the tax imposed by subsection (a) on wages paid with respect to employment of all employees of the organization during such period.

(3) Modifications For purposes of paragraph (1), section 51 shall be applied—

(A) by substituting “26 percent” for “40 percent” in subsection (a) thereof,

(B) by substituting “16.25 percent” for “25 percent” in subsection (i)(3)(A) thereof, and

(C) by only taking into account wages paid to a qualified veteran for services in furtherance of the activities related to the purpose or function constituting the basis of the organization’s exemption under section 501.

(4) Applicable period The term “applicable period” means, with respect to any qualified veteran, the 1-year period beginning with the day such qualified veteran begins work for the organization.

(5) Definitions For purposes of this subsection—

(A) the term “qualified tax-exempt organization” means an employer that is an organization described in section 501(c) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a), and

(B) the term “qualified veteran” has the meaning given such term by section 51(d)(3).

(f) Credit for research expenditures of qualified small businesses

(1) In general In the case of a taxpayer who has made an election under section 41(h) for a taxable year—

(A) there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subsection (a) for the first calendar quarter which begins after the date on which the taxpayer files the return specified in section 41(h)(4)(A)(ii) an amount equal to so much of the payroll tax credit portion determined under section 41(h)(2) as does not exceed the limitation of subclause (I) of section 41(h)(4)(B)(i) (applied without regard to subclause (II) thereof), and

(B) there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subsection (b) for the first calendar quarter which begins after the date on which the taxpayer files the return specified in section 41(h)(4)(A)(ii) an amount equal to so much of the payroll tax credit portion determined under section 41(h)(2) as is not allowed as a credit under subparagraph (A).

(2) Limitation The credit allowed by paragraph (1)(A) shall not exceed the tax imposed by subsection (a) for any calendar quarter, and the credit allowed by paragraph (1)(B) shall not exceed the tax imposed by subsection (b) for any calendar quarter, on the wages paid with respect to the employment of all individuals in the employ of the employer.

(3) Carryover of unused credit If the amount of any credit under paragraph (1) exceeds the limitation of paragraph (2) for any calendar quarter, such excess shall be carried to the succeeding calendar quarter and allowed as a credit under paragraph (1) for such quarter.

(4) Deduction allowed for credited amounts The credits allowed under paragraph (1) shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the amount of any deduction allowed under chapter 1 for taxes imposed under subsection (a) or (b).

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 416; Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title II, § 208(c), 68 Stat. 1094; Aug. 1, 1956. ch. 836, title II, § 202(c), 70 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 85–840, title IV, § 401(c), Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 1042; Pub. L. 87–64, title II, § 201(c), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 141; Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 111(c)(6), title III, § 321(c), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 343, 396; Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 109(a)(3), (b)(3), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 836, 837; Pub. L. 92–5, title II, § 204(a)(2), Mar. 17, 1971, 85 Stat. 11; Pub. L. 92–336, title II, § 204(a)(3), (b)(3), July 1, 1972, 86 Stat. 421, 422; Pub. L. 92–603, title I, § 135(a)(3), (b)(3), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1363, 1364; Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(a)(2), (b)(3), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 954, 955; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1903(a)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1806; Pub. L. 95–216, title I, § 101(a)(2), (b)(2), title III, §§ 315(b), 317(b)(2), Dec. 20, 1977, 91 Stat. 1511, 1512, 1537, 1540; Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 123(a)(2), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 88; Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, § 9006(b)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–289; Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8016(a)(5), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3793; Pub. L. 108–203, title IV, § 415, Mar. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 530; Pub. L. 111–147, title I, § 101(a), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 72; Pub. L. 112–56, title II, § 261(e)(2), Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 730; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(99)(B), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4051; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 121(c)(2), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3051; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(208), (b)(34), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1194, 1204; Pub. L. 117–169, title I, § 13902(b), Aug. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2013.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 233 of the Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to section 433 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13902(b)(1), substituted “for a taxable year—” for “for a taxable year,” and designated remainder of existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted “equal to so much of the” for “equal to the” and “as does not exceed the limitation of subclause (I) of section 41(h)(4)(B)(i) (applied without regard to subclause (II) thereof), and” for period at end, and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13902(b)(2), substituted “paragraph (1)(A)” for “paragraph (1)” and inserted “, and the credit allowed by paragraph (1)(B) shall not exceed the tax imposed by subsection (b) for any calendar quarter,” after “calendar quarter”.

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13902(b)(3), substituted “any credit” for “the credit”.

Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13902(b)(4), substituted “credits” for “credit” and “subsection (a) or (b)” for “subsection (a)”.

2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(b)(34), struck out subsec. (d) which provided for a special exemption for certain individuals hired in 2010.

Subsec. (e)(5)(B). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(208), substituted “has the meaning” for “has meaning”.

2015—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–113 added subsec. (f).

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(99)(B)(i), substituted “6.2 percent of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) paid by the employer with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b)).” for “the following percentages of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) paid by him with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b))—” and table of rates.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(99)(B)(ii), substituted “1.45 percent of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) paid by the employer with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b)).” for “the following percentages of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) paid by him with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b))—

“(1) with respect to wages paid during the calendar years 1974 through 1977, the rate shall be 0.90 percent;

“(2) with respect to wages paid during the calendar year 1978, the rate shall be 1.00 percent;

“(3) with respect to wages paid during the calendar years 1979 and 1980, the rate shall be 1.05 percent;

“(4) with respect to wages paid during the calendar years 1981 through 1984, the rate shall be 1.30 percent;

“(5) with respect to wages paid during the calendar year 1985, the rate shall be 1.35 percent; and

“(6) with respect to wages paid after December 31, 1985, the rate shall be 1.45 percent.”

2011—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–56 added subsec. (e).

2010—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–147 added subsec. (d).

2004—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–203 substituted “exclusively to the laws applicable to” for “to taxes or contributions for similar purposes under”.

1988—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 100–647 made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 100–203, § 9006(b)(1), see 1987 Amendment note below.

1987—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 100–203, as amended by Pub. L. 100–647, struck out “and (t)” after “3121(a)” in introductory provisions.

1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–21 substituted table of rates for pars. (1) to (7) which had imposed a tax on every employer (1) with respect to wages paid during the calendar years 1974 through 1977 at the rate of 4.95 percent, (2) with respect to wages paid during the calendar year 1978 at the rate of 5.05 percent, (3) with respect to wages paid during the calendar years 1979 and 1980 at the rate of 5.08 percent, (4) with respect to wages paid during the calendar year 1981 at the rate of 5.35 percent, (5) with respect to wages paid during the calendar years 1982 through 1984 at the rate of 5.40 percent, (6) with respect to wages paid during the calendar years 1985 through 1989 at the rate of 5.70 percent, and (7) with respect to wages paid after Dec. 31, 1989, at the rate of 6.20 percent.

1977—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–216, §§ 101(a)(2), 315(b), substituted “(as defined in section 3121(a) and (t))” for “(as defined in section 3121(a))” in provisions preceding par. (1), substituted “1974 through 1977” for “1974 through 2010” in par. (1), substituted “wages paid during the calendar year 1978, the rate shall be 5.05 percent” for “wages paid after December 31, 2010, the rate shall be 5.95 percent” in par. (2), and added pars. (3) to (7).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–216, §§ 101(b)(2), 315(b), substituted “(as defined in section 3121(a) and (t))” for “(as defined in section 3121(a))” in provisions preceding par. (1), substituted “wages paid during the calendar year 1978, the rate shall be 1.00 percent” for “wages paid during the calendar years 1978 through 1980, the rate shall be 1.10 percent”, in par. (2), substituted “wages paid during the calendar years 1979 and 1980, the rate shall be 1.05 percent” for wages paid during the calendar years 1981 through 1985, the rate shall be 1.35 percent” in par. (3), substituted “wages paid during the calendar years 1981 through 1984, the rate shall be 1.30 percent” for “wages paid after December 31, 1985, the rate shall be 1.50 percent” in par. (4), and added pars. (5) and (6).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–216, § 317(b)(2), added subsec. (c).

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1903(a)(1)(A), redesignated pars. (5) and (6) as (1) and (2). Former pars. (1) to (4), which related to a tax rate of 3.8 percent with respect to wages received during the taxable year 1968, a tax rate of 4.2 percent with respect to wages received during the calendar year 1969 and 1970, a tax rate of 4.6 percent with respect to wages received during the calendar years 1971 and 1972, and a tax rate of 4.85 percent with respect to wages received during the calendar year 1973, respectively, were struck out.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1903(a)(1)(B), redesignated pars. (3) to (6) as (1) to (4), respectively. Former pars. (1) and (2), which related to a tax rate of .60 percent with respect to wages received during the calendar years 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 and a tax rate of 1.0 percent with respect to wages received during the calendar year 1973, respectively, were struck out.

1973—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(a)(2), struck out provision for application of 4.85 percent rate of tax during calendar years 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977.

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(a)(2), increased rate of tax from 4.80 percent to 4.95 percent and substituted calendar year “1974” to “1978” as initial year for application of such rate.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(a)(2), increased rate of tax from 5.85 percent to 5.95 percent.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(b)(3), struck out provision for application of 1.0 percent rate of tax during calendar years 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(b)(3), incorporated former provision of par. (2) for taxation of wages received during calendar years 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977, decreased the applicable rate of tax from 1.0 percent to 0.90 percent, and struck out provision for 1.25 percent rate of tax for calendar years 1978, 1979, and 1980.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(b)(3), incorporated former provision of par. (3) for taxation of wages received during calendar years 1978, 1979, and 1980, decreased the applicable rate of tax from 1.25 percent to 1.10 percent, and struck out provision for 1.35 percent rate of tax for calendar years 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 93–233, § 6(b)(3), incorporated former provision of par. (4) for taxation of wages received during calendar years 1981 through 1985 at applicable 1.35 percent rate of tax and struck out provision for 1.45 percent rate of tax for wages received after Dec. 31, 1985.