Question of the Day

Who bears the economic burden of Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes paid by businesses?

Correct Answer

Tell Me More

The payroll taxes paid by businesses are mainly borne by employees in the form of lower wages. As explained by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (and many other credible sources), "While employees and employers pay equal amounts in social insurance taxes, economists generally agree that employees bear the entire burden of social insurance taxes in the form of reduced wages." This is evidenced by the fact that workers' average wages and benefits (including payroll taxes paid by businesses) have increased at the same rate for all of modern U.S. history except for a passing two-year blip during the presidency of George W. Bush and during most of the presidency of Barack Obama. In this era, massive government interventions like quantitative easing distorted the nation's economy.




Reload Question
Reload Question
Share via Facebook
Share via Twitter
Share via Email
Embed into your website
About the Fact App
Articles by Topic