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What Is Withholding Tax? Overview, Types & How to Calculate It

By Frank Bass – Updated Mar 5, 2025 at 12:12PM

Key Points

  • Withholding tax is deducted from employee wages to prepay state and federal taxes.
  • Different types apply, including for income, Social Security, and Medicare.
  • To calculate, adjust for allowances and use IRS tax tables based on income and status.
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