Medicare Tax

The IRS has issued long-awaited and much needed proposed reliance regulations on the operation of the two new surtaxes imposed under the 2010 healthcare legislation: the 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), and the 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax. Both surtaxes are scheduled to come into full effect on January 1, 2013. The proposed reliance regulations and the frequently asked questions on the IRS website attempt to address many of the gaps in the application of these surtaxes that have been questioned by tax professionals, employers, and taxpayers. The guidance on each of these surtaxes is extensive and is immediately critical for affected taxpayers.