The federal payroll tax (FICA) is currently 15.3% and is split equally between employers and employees. Here’s how it breaks down: Employers pay 6.2% of Social Security tax and employees pay 6.2%, for a total of 12.4%. A further 1.45% of Medicare tax is paid by the employee, and the employer matches this 1.45%, for a total of 2.9%. The combined rate is 15.3%.