Senator to Propose Payroll Tax Holiday

November 16, 2001 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - New legislation for a payroll tax holiday is scheduled to be introduced by Senator Pete Domenici (R - New Mexico), according to a report from Reuters.

Touted as an answer to the stalled economic stimulus bill, the legislation would give employees and employers a month-long holiday from paying the 12.4% payroll tax.

Earlier this week in the Senate, Republicans successfully blocked the Democratic-backed economic stimulus package this week. Senator Domenici’s proposal, which has attracted interest from both parties, could help break the stalemate.

A December payroll holiday would carry a $38 billion price tag, while one in January could cost $43 billion – because payroll taxes, which finance Social Security, are paid on the first $80,400 of earnings, a limit which about 4% of wage earners reach by December.

The Social Security trust fund would be reimbursed with funds from general revenues.

– Camilla Klein                           editors@plansponsor.com

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