Hello on this 10th day of September;
There is a temporary deferral for some employees on Social Security taxes. Consider how this will impact you and read the email below from the Director of Human Resources of Indian Health Services. As well, I have attached an email from Defense Finance and Accounting Service ( DFAS ). They are the government organization that is responsible for preparing and disbursing our salary checks. There is a lot of information on the topic so try to review as much as possible.
Additional information can be found in the following locations:
https://www.fedsmith.com/2020/09/03/will-new-social-security-tax-deferral-affect-your-retirement/
https://www.dfas.mil/taxes/Social-Security-Deferral/Civilian-Employee-FAQs/
From: Gyorda, Lisa (IHS/HQ) <Lisa.Gyorda@ihs.gov>
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2020 6:30 AM
To: IHS ALL <IHSALL@ihs.gov>
Subject: Temporary Deferral of Social Security Taxes for some IHS Federal Employees
Dear IHS Federal Employees:
In accordance with the Presidential Memorandum issued on August 8, 2020, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) implementation guidance issued on August 28, 2020, the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) is initiating changes to temporarily defer the 6.2% withholding for Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), commonly referred to as the FICA tax that funds Social Security, for eligible employees.
Temporary Payroll Tax Deferral Period
The temporary payroll tax deferral applies to federal employees receiving less than $4,000 in bi-weekly wages subject to the OASDI tax beginning September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. During this period, the standard 6.2% withholding for OASDI will not be withheld from an employee’s paycheck in any pay period where bi-weekly wages subject to the OASDI tax remains under the $4,000 threshold. The first temporary payroll tax deferral will be reflected on the paycheck employees receive on September 18, 2020.
Bi-weekly Determinations
The OASDI payroll tax deferral will be determined for each pay period based on an employee’s bi-weekly wages, which may fluctuate. Situations that cause an employee’s wages to fluctuate include, but are not limited to, earning overtime, receipt of cash awards, and periods of leave without pay.
Payroll taxes will only be deferred when an employee’s bi-weekly earnings subject to OASDI tax are less than $4,000 in a pay period.
Wages Subject to OASDI
Some pre-tax benefits, such as Federal Health Insurance Benefits (FEHB) premiums, are not subject to the OASDI tax; however, others like Thrift Savings Plan contributions are. Employees are encouraged to check their Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) through myPay for specifics on their wages and deductions each pay period.
For easy reference, OASDI withholding information is listed under the deductions section of the print friendly version of the LES.
Resuming OASDI Tax Withholdings
The current IRS guidance advises that the deferred OASDI payroll taxes will be collected beginning January 1, 2021 through April 30, 2021 (i.e., employees will be required to repay the deferred amount during the first four months of next year). We are awaiting guidance from the IRS on managing the repayment process and how the payroll tax deferral will impact W-2s for this year.
Please note these changes are being implemented for all federal employees in the executive branch, and there is no option to opt-out of the OASDI payroll tax deferral. Employees who separate from federal service before the deferred OASDI taxes are fully repaid remain liable for repayment. These changes will not impact employees in Retirement Plans that are not subject to Social Security withholdings (i.e., the Civil Service Retirement System).
Additional Guidance and Questions
The HQ Office of Human Resources will provide updated guidance as new information becomes available. DFAS will be sending information directly to employees very soon. DFAS has also posted frequently asked questions on this topic online available here.
Should you have any specific questions regarding your pay, please contact your servicing human resources office.
Thank you.
Lisa Gyorda
Director, Office of Human Resources
Deputy Ethics Counselor
Indian Health Service
Our Mission … to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health
of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.