Do Texans Pay FICA on Their Paychecks?
By Team SalaryCalculate · 7/23/2025
Do All Texans Pay FICA?
Most people who get a W-2 paycheck in Texas do. But there are some exceptions:
✅ You do pay FICA if:
- You're a regular employee (hourly, salaried, part-time, etc.)
- You get a paycheck with federal taxes withheld
- You work in the private sector or most public jobs
❌ You may not pay FICA if:
- You're self-employed (you pay SE tax instead)
- You work for certain religious organizations
- You're a student working for your school
- You're a Texas public employee in a non-covered position
What About Self-Employed Texans?
If you're self-employed, you pay Self-Employment (SE) tax instead of FICA. It covers both the employee and employer share—15.3% total. But you can deduct the employer half on your tax return.
| Self-Employed Income | Total SE Tax Owed |
| $50,000 | $7,650 |
| $100,000 | $15,300 |
How Does FICA Show Up on My Pay Stub?
Here’s a typical example for someone earning $4,000/month:
| Item | Amount |
| Gross Pay | $4,000.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$248.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$58.00 |
| Net After FICA | $3,694.00 |
You can see a full breakdown using our net salary calculator.
FICA vs. Federal Income Tax in Texas
You might pay more in FICA than income tax—especially if your income is under $50,000 and you claim the standard deduction.
| Income | Estimated Federal Tax | FICA Tax |
| $30,000 | $1,000–$2,000 | $2,295 |
| $60,000 | $4,500–$6,000 | $4,590 |
| $100,000 | $10,000–$13,000 | $7,650 |
To learn how all taxes hit your paycheck, see how is my paycheck taxed in Texas.
Final Thoughts
If you live and work in Texas, you almost certainly pay FICA. It doesn’t matter that there’s no state income tax. FICA is federal, and it’s non-negotiable for most employees.
If you want to see your full paycheck breakdown, try our net salary calculator. It only takes a minute—and it might show you how much you’re really paying toward your future.
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