CNN Articles Today: How New Fiscal Cliff Deal Affects Payroll Taxes, Your Empoyees, and Your Companies

Why your paycheck is getting smaller, no matter what

By:   Emily Jane Fox @CNNMoney

 

January 2, 2013: 12:10 AM ET

 

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

For middle class Americans, there will be no escaping higher taxes in 2013.

Congress was able to pass legislation to keep broader middle class income taxes from rising. But workers will still have to pay at least 2% more in payroll taxes.

That's because the government had temporarily lowered the payroll tax rate in 2011 to 4.2% from 6.2%, in an effort to keep more cash in the pockets of Americans and provide a boost to the economy. The tax cut, which applies on the first $113,700 in annual earnings, expired on Monday.

Now most of the country's 160 million workers will see smaller paychecks. No one is expecting the payroll tax cut to be extended.
                                        
Monthly paychecks will have $50 less for those earning $30,000 annually, and will shave off $189.50 for those with incomes totaling $113,700.
                                        
The amounts could be large enough to deal a blow to middle class Americans' spending budgets, especially at a time when the economic recovery is still struggling to gain a foothold.

Read full CNN article here.

Smaller paychecks coming - bosses say, don't blame us

By:  Jose Pagliery @CNNMoney

January 2, 2013: 5:23 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Everyone's paycheck is about to take a hit, and it's not the boss' fault. But some business owners say it's a tough talk to have.

The rate of workers' payroll taxes, which fund Social Security, has been 4.2% for the past two years. As of Jan. 1, it's back to 6.2%, on the first $113,700 in wages.


Read full article here.