Question

During January, Luxury Cruise Lines incurs employee salaries of $2.9 million. Withholdings in January are $221,850 for the employee portion of FICA, $435,000 for federal income tax, $181,250 for state income tax, and $29,000 for the employee portion of health insurance (payable to Blue Cross Blue Shield). The company incurs an additional $179,800 for federal and state unemployment tax and $87,000 for the employer portion of health insurance.
Required:
A) Record the employee salary expense, withholdings, and salaries payable.
B) Record the employer-provided fringe benefits.
C) Record the employer payroll taxes.

Answer 1

Explanation:

The journal entries are shown below:

a. Salaries expense $2,900,000

             To Income tax payable $616,250  ($435,000 + $181,250)

             To FICA tax payable  $221,850

             To Account payable $29,000

             To Salaries payable $2,032,900

(Being the employee salary expense, withholdings, and salaries payable is recorded)

b. Salaries expense $87,000

                 To Account payable $87,000

(Being the employer-provided fringe benefits is recorded)

c. Payroll tax expense $179,800

   FICA tax expense $221,850

              To Unemployment tax payable $401,650

(being the employer payroll taxes is recorded)