Table of Contents

US FEDERAL TAX CALCULATION#

General Set Up#

UDGNIS
This is the process to load all US Tax Jurisdictions into IDCO, IDSP, IDCN, IDCI, IDMN, IDSD, IDZR, and IDTX.
UPUTR
This is the process to load all US Tax Rates and States Miscellaneous Parameters. After UPUTR is run, IPUTR and IPUTP screens can be used to view the applicable Tax Rates and Miscellaneous Parameters by state.
IPUTR
US Tax Rates may be viewed by state and overridden Rates and Wage Base may be entered. Some SUTA surcharge calculation for some states may be suppressed by checking the 'Do not Calculate' toggle.
IPUTP
US Tax Miscellaneous Parameters may be viewed by the states that are applicable for the IPRLU screen.
IDGV
This screen may optionally contain specific override Rates and Wage Bases by Government Registration for each registration from the pay header's group. IDGV overridden amounts take precedence over the IPUTR overridden amounts.
IPPC
Pay components must be set up with applicable IPCU PC Usages for US taxation.
IDTX
This screen is used to enter applicable Tax Jurisdictions that are paid by employees. On screens such as IPPH/IEPI, IEAS, IDLN, etc. that require a Tax Jurisdiction, the 'Tax Jurisdiction Editor Utility' dialog box can be used to enter the jurisdiction on the IDTX screen.
IPRLU/IPRLUS
Each employee must be set up with the applicable tax methods. Miscellaneous Tax Parameters must be set up by the states that need to be paid.
UPRLU
This process audits the US Tax Filing information and generates IPRLU Miscellaneous Tax Parameters information according to the IMCT set up.
IPPH
  • The Pay Header tab must specify the default work and home jurisdictions.
  • Within the Pay Lines tab, the Jurisdiction field must specify the work jurisdiction of this pay line.
  • After a trial calc or having run UPCALC, the Pay Amounts tab will contain, in summary, all the US Taxation amounts that are used for the calculation of net pay.
  • The Pay Jurisdiction tab contains the default Work and Home jurisdictions.
  • After a trial calc or having run UPCALC,the Pay Jurisdiction tab will contain, in detail, all the US Taxation amounts by jurisdiction.

IPUTP - Federal Tax Parameters#

When UPUTR is run, it loads in a list of the Federal tax parameters for the Symmetry Federal Tax calculation.

On the IPUTP screen, the following Federal tax parameters are available to be used on the IPRLU/IPRLUS screen:
  • IRS_MAX_EXEMPTIONS
  • APPLY_BENEFIT_WAGE_LIMIT
These parameters will not be automatically added to IPRLU/IPRLUS by [UPRLU] process for all employees. For employees eligible for each parameter, the parameters must be manually added to the screens.
IRS_MAX_EXEMPTIONS
  • Optional, numeric, IRS maximum number of exemptions allowed
  • Allows an employer to indicate on the employee's IPRLU/IPRLUS screen, the maximum number of exemptions allowed for this employee as indicated by the IRS in a 'lock-in-letter'
  • UPCALC will cap the employee's federal '# of exemptions' with the value from the IPRLU/IPRLUS 'IRS_MAX_EXEMPTIONS' parameter
  • Do not provide a default value for this parameter
  • Any number provided will override the Federal Exemptions defined in the Federal Tax
APPLY_BENEFIT_WAGE_LIMIT
  • Optional, alphanumeric
  • Allows a user to specify if the Benefit Annual Wage Limit should be applied by the SymmetryTaxEngine when an employee’s wages reach the $250 000 limit. By applying the limit, when an employee reaches the limit (Regular and Supplemental wages combined), the employee’s 401k / 457 deductions become taxable. By not applying the annual limit, when an Employee reaches this annual wage the deductions are not taxable for Federal. This is typically used when an employee’s Supplemental wages should Not be considered in the annual wage equation.

IPUTR - Federal Tax Rates#

When UPUTR is run, it loads in a list of federal tax rates for Symmetry Federal Tax calculation.
  • On the IPUTR screen, set the State field to 'Federal' in order to view the federal tax rates.
  • Each Tax Identifier may provide the default Tax Rates, Wage Base to be used for Federal Tax calculation
IMPORTANT : For the ER_FUTA Identifier, a user MUST enter their own government provided Employer FUTA rate on the 'Override Tax Rate' field. Symmetry requires this FUTA rate to be passed into the Symmetry tax engine, otherwise the ER FUTA will not be calculated

IPRLU - US Tax Filing Information#

Both the IPRLU and IPRLUS screens can be used to maintain US tax filing information for an employee.

IPRLU
Contains all US tax filing information for Vertex and Symmetry Tax users
IPRLUS
Contains US tax filing information for Symmetry Tax users only
  • The Federal, State and local tabs must specify all the tax methods and eligible information.
  • For Federal Tax calculation, the '# of Exemptions' must be entered on the Federal tab, if the employee has an IRS letter to indicate the maximum number of exemptions they are allowed. The Misc. Identifier field is then set to 'IRS_MAX_EXEMPTIONS' on either the IPRLU Miscellaneous tab or the IPRLUS State tab. Any number provided will override the Federal Exemptions, including a value of 0.

FEDERAL PC Usages#

PC Usage - Federal Tax #

On the IPPC screen, set up pay components for the following PC Usages, used in the federal tax calculation:

UsageDescription
6001FWT Deduction - Regular Tax
6002FWT Deduction - Additional Tax
6003FWT Deduction - Supplemental Tax
6004FWT Earnings - Regular Tax
6005FWT Earnings - Regular Tax
6051Pre-FWT Earnings - Reg Tax Table Method (PPE)
6052Pre-FWT Earnings - Reg Tax % Method (PPE)
6053Pre-FWT 125 Exemption - Reg Tax (PPE)
6054Pre-FWT 401K Exemption - Reg Tax (PPE)
6055Pre-FWT Earnings - Supplemental Tax (PPE)
6056Pre-FWT 125 Exemption - Supplemental Tax (PPE)
6057Pre-FWT 401K Exemption - Supplemental Tax (PPE)
6058Pre-FIT Hours - Total Hours worked (PPE)
7901 toPre-FWT 125 Exemption - Reg Tax (PPE)
7928Pre-FWT HSA Exemption -Suppl Tax (PPE)
7801 toPre-Reg Custom Benefit 01 - Reg Tax (PPE)
7830Pre-Sup Custom Benefit 10 - Suppl Tax (PPE)

PC Usage - Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) Tax#

Federal Insurance Contributions Act Tax (FICA) is imposed by the federal government on both employees and employers. The FICA tax is calculated using Pay Component Usages 6201 - 6261.

UsageDescription
6201FICA Employee Deduction
6202FICA Employee Earnings
6210FICA Employer Contribution
6211FICA Employer Earnings
6251Pre-FICA Employee Earnings (PPE)
6261Pre-FICA Employer Earnings (PPE)

PC Usage - Medicare Tax#

Medicare tax is an employer and employee paid tax. The Medicare tax is calculated using Pay Component Usages 6501 - 6552.

UsageDescription
6501Medicare Employee Deduction
6502Medicare Employee Earnings
6503Medicare Employer Contribution
6504Medicare Employer Earnings
6505Medicare2 Employee Addn Deduction
6506Medicare2 Employee Addn Earnings
6551Pre- Medicare Employee Earnings (PPE)
6552Pre- Medicare Employer Earnings (PPE)
6553Pre-Medi2 Employee Addn Earnings (PPE)

PC Usage - Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)#

Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) is an employer paid tax. The FUTA tax is calculated using Pay Component Usages 6401 - 6451.

UsageDescription
6401FUTA Employer Contribution
6402FUTA Employer Earnings
6451Pre-FUTA Employer Earnings (PPE)

There are two ways of providing the FUTA tax rate:

  1. IPUTR
    • Enter the Rate or Wage Base provided by the government into the appropriate override fields
    • These overrides are applicable for the entire company for the federal calculations
  2. IDGV
    • If there is a specific rate given by the government for different Registration #, then enter on IDGV by 'Reg Type', this overrides the IPUTR Rate
    • UPCALC retrieves IDGV by Government Registration from the employee's pay header group.

If you do business in a state that has been given a FUTA Tax Credit reduction, the new FUTA tax rate for that particular state may be entered in IDGV for the state. In IDGV, add a new entry for the specific state, select Registration Type 'US SUI Regist 1'. The Govt Rate Type should be 'US FUTA Rate'. This state specific FUTA rate will be picked up by the UPCALC program when an employee is being paid in that state.

PC Usage - Railroad Taxation#

PC Usages 6301 - 6356

Federal Tax Calculation#

UPCALC Example - Federal Withholdings #

US Federal Tax Calculation_01.JPG(info)

IPRLU Federal Filing StatusSingle
Regular Earnings1923.08
Supplemental Earnings100.00
Pre-Tax Benefits
125 Plan + 401K Plan + 403B Plan + 457 Plan + Simple IRA Plan 145.89 + 112.54 + 20.84 + 16.18 + 14.97 = 310.42
Prorate Pre-Tax Benefits to Regular and Supplemental Earnings
Reg Earn Pre-Tax Benefit1923.08 / 2023.08 * 310.42 = 295.08
Sup Earn Pre-Tax Benefit100 / 2023.08 * 310.42 = 15.34
FIT Withholding
PC 8005 FIT Earn1923.08 - 295.08 = 1628.00
PC 8015 FSP Earn100.00 - 15.34 = 84.66

PC 6000 FIT TaxBased on PC 8005 $1628.00 = 237.77
PC 6010 FSP TaxBased on PC 8015 $84.66 x 25% = 21.17

FICA / MEDICARE#

FICA Wage < FIT Wage Example#

US Federal Tax Calculation_02.JPG(info)

When the employee works for both Regular and Railroad employment, FICA YTD and RRTA YTD are both used in the FICA calculation.

FIT_WagesUsage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings6676.24
FICA_WagesUsage 6261 Pre-FICA Employer Earnings6596.13

PC 8005 FIT Earn FIT_Wages - 125 - 401K= 6676.24 - 200.33 - 239.57= 6236.34
PC 8039 FICA ER EarnFICA_Wages - 125 = 6596.13 - 200.33= 6395.80

1) FICA ER - No Self Adjust Method
PC 7031 FICA ER = FICA ER Earn x 0.062= 6395.80 x 0.062= 396.54
PC 7030 Medicare ER= Med ER Earn x 0.0145= 6395.80 x 0.0145= 92.74



2) FICA ER - Self Adjust Method
This employee uses the Self-Adjust method.

FIT_Wages.ctdUsage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings= 6676.24
FIT_Wages.ytdUsage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings= 51747.29
FSP_Wages.ctdUsage 6055 Pre-FIT Suppl Earns= 0
FSP_Wages.ytdUsage 6055 Pre-FIT Suppl Earns= 5700
FICA_Wages.ctdUsage 6261 Pre-FICA Employer Earnings= 6596.13
FICA_Wages.ytdUsage 6261 Pre-FICA Employer Earnings = 51057.92

If FICA Earnings (FICA_Wages.ctd) is different than FIT Earnings (FIT_Wages.ctd), then calculate the difference between the wages for FICA and FIT (i.e. Usage 6261 - Usage 6051). This is called Additional FICA Wages
CTD Usage 6261 Pre-FICA Employer Earnings6596.13
CTD Usage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings6676.24
CTD Addn FICA Wages6596.13 - 6676.24 = -80.11 (negative means FICA Earn < Pre-FWT Earn)

YTD Usage 6261 Pre-FICA Employer Earnings51057.92
YTD Usage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings51747.29
YTD Addn FICA Wages51057.92 - 51747.29 = -689.37 (negative means FICA Earn < Pre-FWT Earn)

Addn FICA_Wages.ctd = -80.11 FICA.ytdEE= 3459.44 (dedn so far) MEDI.ytd = 809.06 (dedn so far)
Addn FICA_Wages.ytd= -689.37 FICA.ytdER= 3459.44 (dedn so far)

YTD 125 Total (from YTD)= 1649.91 (prorate to YTD FIT / FSP Wages, i.e. 51747.29 and 5700)
YTD 401K Total (from YTD)= 2026.80 (prorate to YTD FIT / FSP Wages, i.e. 51747.29 and 5700)
FIT_ben_125.ctd= 200.83 FSP_ben_125.ctd= 0
FIT_ben_125.ytd= 1486.20 FSP_ben_125.ytd = 163.71 (1486.20 + 163.71 = 1649.91)
FIT_ben_401K.ctd= 239.57 FSP_ben_401K.ctd= 0
FIT_ben_401K.ytd= 1825.70 FSP_ben_401K.ytd= 201.1 (1825.70 + 201.1 = 2026.80)

Calculate FICA Wages for the Year
FIT_Wages.ctd + Addn FICA_Wages.ctd+ FIT_Wages.ytd+ Addn FICA_Wages.ytd
6676.24 + (-80.11)+ 51747.29 + (-689.37)= 57654.05

FSP_Wages.ctd + FSP_Wages.ytd
0 + 5700 = 5700

FICA_Wages_Total= 57654.05 + 5700= 63354.05

Calculate 125 Exemption for the Year
FICA_125_Total= FIT_ben_125.ctd + FSP_ben_125.ctd+ FIT_ben_125.ytd + FSP_ben_125.ytd
FICA_125_Total= 200.83 + 0 + 1486.20 + 163.71 = 1850.74

FICA ER Calculation
FICA Taxable Earnings= FICA_Wages_Total - FICA_125_Total
FICA Taxable Earnings= 63354.05 - 1850.74 = 61503.31

FICA ER Contribution= FICA Taxable Earnings x FICA Rate
FICA ER Contribution= 61503.31 x 0.062= 3813.21

FICA ER YTD so far= YTD PC 7031 FICA ER + PC 7033 RR Tier1 Soc ER
FICA ER YTD so far= 1810.19 + 1649.25 = 3459.44 (FICA.ytdER so far)

FICA ER this pay= FICA ER Contribution - FICA ER YTD so far
FICA ER this pay= 3813.21 - 3459.44 = 353.77 (RPREGC slight rounding 353.80)

Medicare ER Calculation
MEDI ER Contribution= FICA Taxable Earnings x FICA Rate
MEDI ER Contribution= 61503.31 x 0.0145 = 891.80

MEDI ER YTD so far= YTD PC 7030 Medicare ER + PC 7034 RR Tier1 Med ER
MEDI ER YTD so far= 423.35 + 385.71 = 809.06 (MEDI.ytd so far)

MEDI ER this pay= MEDI ER Contribution - MEDI ER YTD so far
MEDI ER this pay|= 891.80 - 809.06 |= 82.74 (RPREGC slight rounding 82.75)

Railroad Tax Calculation#

Railroad - Tier1 Tax Example#

US Federal Tax Calculation_03.JPG(info)
FIT_WagesUsage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings6153.82
RRTA_WagesUsage 6306 Pre-RR Tier1 SOC ER Earnings6079.97

PC 8005 FIT EarnFIT Wages - 125 - 401K= 6153.82 - 194.22 - 225.31= 5734.29
PC 8201 RR Tier1 Soc ER Earn= RRTA Wages - 125= 6079.97 - 194.22= 5885.75

1) RRTA - No Self Adjust Method

PC 7033 RR Tier1 Soc ER= RR Tier1 Earn x 0.062= 5885.75 x 0.062= 364.92
PC 7034 RR Tier1 Med ER= RR Tier1 Earn x 0.0145= 5885.75x 0.0145= 85.34
  • For Railroad Taxation, if an employee has FICA contribution during the year, this means the employee works between the Railroad and Non-Railroad assignments. In this case, please check if the 'RR Self-Adjust' method should be used for this employee or not.
  • The reason is, if 'RR Self-Adjust' method is defined on IPRLU, this method is applicable for both RR Tier1 and Tier2 calculation. However, since Regular FICA does not have a Tier2 calculation, the 'RR Self-Adjust' method will automatically re-adjust all earnings that include YTD FICA Earnings that are not subject to Tier2 calculation, which would cause the entire YTD Earnings to be subject to Tier2 tax.
  • Since employee should only pay Tier2 tax for the earnings that are earned for Railroad employment, if the employee has FICA contribution, it should be verified if this employee should use the 'Self-Adjust' method to re-calculate all Tier2 tax or just to use 'RR No Self-Adjust' method.
  • The next example shows the 'RR Self-Adjust' method and should be used when the employee does not have FICA employment

2) RRTA - Self Adjust Method

FIT_Wages.ctdUsage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings= 6153.82
FIT_Wages.ytdUsage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings= 58423.53
FSP_Wages.ctdUsage 6055 Pre-FIT Suppl Earns= 0
FSP_Wages.ytdUsage 6055 Pre-FIT Suppl Earns= 5700
RRTA_Wages.ctdUsage 6306 Pre-Tier1 Soc ER Earn= 6079.97
RRTA_Wages.ytdUsage 6306 Pre-Tier1 Soc ER Earn= 57654.05

If RRTA Earnings (RRTA_Wages.ctd) are different than FIT Earnings (FIT_Wages.ctd), then calculate the difference between the wages for RRTA and FIT (i.e. Usage 6306 - Usage 6051). This is called Additional RRTA Wages.

CTD Usage 6306 Pre-Tier1 Soc ER Earn6079.97
CTD Usage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings6153.82
CTD Addn FICA Wages6079.97 - 6153.82= -73.85 (negative means RRTA Earn < Pre-FWT Earn)

YTD Usage 6306 Pre-Tier1 Soc ER Earn57654.05
YTD Usage 6051 Pre FWT Earnings58423.53
YTD Addn FICA Wages57654.05 - 58423.53-769.48 (negative means RRTA Earn < Pre-FWT Earn)

Addn RRTA_Wages.ctd= -73.85RRTA.ytd_Tier1_ER = 3813.24 (dedn so far)
Addn RRTA_Wages.ytd= -769.48

YTD 125 Total (from YTD)= 1850.24 (prorate to YTD FIT / FSP Wages, i.e. 58423.53 and 5700)
YTD 401K Total (from YTD)= 2266.37 (prorate to YTD FIT / FSP Wages, i.e. 58423.53 and 5700)
FIT_ben_125.ctd= 194.22 FSP_ben_125.ctd= 0
FIT_ben_125.ytd= 1685.77 FSP_ben_125.ytd= 164.47(1685.77 + 164.47 = 1850.24)
FIT_ben_401K.ctd= 225.31 FSP_ben_401K.ctd= 0
FIT_ben_401K.ytd= 2064.91 FSP_ben_401K.ytd= 204.46(2064.91 + 204.46 = 2269.37)

Calculate RRTA Wages for the Year
FIT_Wages.ctd + Addn RRTA_Wages.ctd + FIT_Wages.ytd + Addn RRTA_Wages.ytd
6153.82 + (-73.85) + 58423.53 + (-769.48) = 63734.02

FSP_Wages.ctd + FSP_Wages.ytd
0 + 5700 = 5700

RRTA_Wages_Total = 63734.02 + 5700= 69434.02
Calculate 125 Exemption for the Year
RRTA_125_Total= FIT_ben_125.ctd+ FSP_ben_125.ctd + FIT_ben_125.ytd + FSP_ben_125.ytd
RRTA_125_Total= 194.22 + 0 + 1685.77 + 164.47 = 2044.46

RRTA Tier1 ER Calculation
RRTA Taxable EarningsRRTA_Wages_Total - RRTA_125_Total
RRTA Taxable Earnings69434.02 - 2044.46 = 67389.56

RRTA Tier1 ER Contribution= RRTA Taxable Earnings x RRTA Tier1 ER Rate
RRTA Tier1 ER Contribution= 67389.56 x 0.062 = 4178.15

RRTA ER YTD so far= YTD PC 7031 FICA ER + PC 7033 RR Tier1 Soc ER
RRTA ER YTD so far= 2163.99 + 1649.25= 3813.24 (RRTA.ytdER so far)
RRTA Tier1 ER this pay = RRTA ER Contribution - RRTA ER YTD so far
RRTA Tier1 ER this pay = 4178.15 - 3813.24 = 364.81

Notes #

Click to create a new notes page
This particular version was published on 26-Nov-2021 10:22 by mmcfarland.Top