Q.) Why are my OASDI taxes being deferred?
A.) In order to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Presidential Memorandum was issued on Aug. 8, 2020, and guidance followed by Internal Revenue Service on Aug. 28, 2020, to temporarily defer employees Social Security (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) or ìOASDIî tax withholdings.
Presidential Memorandum link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/08/13/2020-17899/deferring-payroll-tax-obligations-in-light-of-the-ongoing-covid-19-disaster
Q.) What is the deferred OASDI tax?
A.) Social Security is 6.2 percent and is commonly referred to as OASDI. OASDI stands for Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program. The tax funds the Social Security program, which is administered by the Social Security Administration. Your OASDI deduction is found on your LES under the deductions tab/section.
Q.) How is the OASDI tax calculated?
A.) OASDI tax is set by law at 6.2 percent. The tax is calculated as 6.2% of wages that are subject to OASDI. Wages subject to OASDI are gross wages less Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Dental, Vision, and Health/Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA). A good reference on your LES is your Taxable Wages listed on the Summary tab in myPay.
Q.) Can I opt-out of the deferred OASDI tax withholding?
A.) No. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed all Executive Branch Agencies to implement the tax deferral. As such, no Payroll Providers, Departments/Agencies, employees or service members will be able to opt-in/opt-out of the deferral.
Q.) Does this affect any of my other tax withholdings?
A.) No. Pursuant to the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service Guidance, this only affects your Social Security tax (OASDI) withholdings, which will be deferred from September 2020 through the end of the calendar year 2020.
Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service guidance link:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-20-65.pdf
Q.) What is the wage threshold amount for determining who will have their Social Security tax (OASDI) withholdings deferred through the end of calendar year 2020?
A.) If your wages subject to OASDI are less that $4,000 per pay period, OASDI taxes will be deferred. Wages subject to OASDI are gross wages less Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Dental, Vision, and Health/Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA).
Q.) When will the payroll tax deferral begin?
A.) The elimination of the OASDI tax withholding on employee deductions for the applicable employees will be effective, pay period ending Sept. 12, 2020.
Q.) Will I be required to pay back the Social Security taxes that are deferred?
A.) Yes. Current IRS guidance indicates the payment of the deferred taxes is postponed until January 1, 2021. The deferred OASDI taxes not withheld from wages during 2020 will be collected from your wages between Jan. 1, 2021, and April 30, 2021. Additional information on the collection process will be provided in the future.
Q.) How much will my payroll provider collect during each pay period starting in January 1, 2021 through April 30, 2021?
A.) As more information becomes available on the collection of the deferred Social Security taxes, it will be posted here.
Q.) Can the deferred Social Security tax liability (OASDI) be waived?
A.) Only Congress has the authority to forgive taxes. Deferral of the Social Security tax only postpones when the taxes are due.
Q.) Will the deferred taxes be forgiven by Congress?
A.) Congress has not made a determination on forgiving the tax deferral debt. Under current IRS Guidance, service members and civilian employees should plan on repaying the deferred taxes beginning January 1.
Q.) Can I select my repayment terms, by lump sum or evenly?
A.) Pursuant to current Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service Guidance, total deferred Social Security taxes must be withheld evenly from wages beginning January 1, 2001 and ending on April 30, 2021. As more information becomes available on the collection of the deferred Social Security taxes, it will be posted here.
Q.) Do I have to pay interest and penalties if not paid after April 2021?
A.) As more information becomes available on the application of interest and penalties, it will be posted here.
Q.) I am separating or retiring before the end of this year; will I be required to pay the deferred taxes back?
A.) If you separate or retire in 2020 before the Social Security tax can be collected in 2021, you are still responsible for the Social Security tax repayment. As more information becomes available on the collection of any deferred Social Security taxes, it will be posted here.
Q.) How will this affect my 2020 and 2021 W-2?
A.) As more information and guidance becomes available from the Internal Revenue Service on how the deferral and collections affect your 2020 and 2021 W-2s, it will be posted here.
Q.) Does the Social Security (OASDI) tax deferral impact contributions to my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account?
A.) No. The OASDI amount collected/deferred does not have an impact on wages that are used to calculate your TSP contributions.