Question

According to a summary of the payroll of Guthrie Co., $560,000 was subject to the 6.0% social security tax and the 1.5% Medicare tax. Also, $60,000 was subject to state and federal unemployment taxes.
Required:
a. Calculate the employer's payroll taxes, using the following rates: state unemployment, 5.4%; federal unemployment, 0.6%
b. On December 31, journalize the entry to record the accrual of payroll taxes.

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

a. The computation of an employer's payroll taxes is shown below:-

Employer's payroll taxes =  Social Security tax payable + Medicare tax payable + State Unemployment tax payable + Federal Unemployment tax payable

= ($560,000 × 6%) + ($560,000 × 1.5%) + ($60,000 × 0.6%) + ($60,000 × 0.6%)

= $33,600 + $8,400 + $3,240 + $360

= $45,600

b. The Journal entry is shown below:-

Payroll tax expense $ Dr, $45,600    -

     To Social Security tax payable $33,600

     To Medicare tax payable $8,400

     To State Unemployment tax payable $3,240  

    To Federal Unemployment tax payable $360

(Being accrual of payroll taxes is recorded)