Employers Can Defer Payroll Taxes

Article Highlights:

  • Applicable Payroll Taxes 
  • Deferral Period 
  • Payback Times 
  • Self-Employed Individuals 
  • SBA Loan Forgiveness 
One of the benefits included in the COVID-19 epidemic stimulus package is the ability for an employer to defer payment of the employer’s share of certain federal payroll taxes. The deferral applies to the employer’s 6.2% share of the Social Security (OASDI) payroll tax.

The deferral does not apply to the employer’s 1.45% share of the hospital tax. The deferral is optional, applies to employers of any size and applies to wages paid between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

The deferred payments will be due 50% before December 31, 2021 and the balance before the end of 2022.

For self-employed individuals, the deferral applies to 50% of the self-employment tax liability (including any related estimated tax liability).

Employers who receive Small Business Administration loans that are forgiven under the CARES Act (so that the Federal government effectively gave the employers loan funds that they did not have to repay in order to fund as much as eight weeks of their payroll costs) are not eligible for this payroll tax deferral. However, after that eight-week period is complete, deferral may resume.

If you have questions related to deferring a portion of your payroll taxes, please give this office a call.

Share this article...

Want our best tax and accounting tips and insights delivered to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Our Offices

Our expertise is widespread and we have multiple office locations to make it convenient for you to get help. You can find us at:

Oregon Office

4545 SW 96th Ave
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
Monday through Friday:
9am to 5pm and by appointment

April-December
Monday through Thursday
10am to 2pm

Connecticut Office

P.O. Box 271356
West Hartford, Connecticut 06127
By Appointment Only

Idaho Office

2020 Blaine St.
Caldwell, Idaho 83605
Monday through Friday:
9am to 5pm and by appointment

April-December
Monday through Thursday
10am to 2pm