(a) Rates—(1)(i) Tier 1 tax. The Tier 1 employee tax rate equals the sum of the tax rates in effect under section 3101(a), relating to old-age, survivors, and disability insurance, and section 3101(b), relating to hospital insurance. The Tier 1 employee tax rate is applied to compensation up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(i). The contribution base is determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act and is identical to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance wage base and the hospital insurance wage base, respectively, under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.

(ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example.

(2)

(i) Tier 2 tax. The Tier 2 employee tax rate equals the percentage set forth in section 3201(b) of the Code. This rate is applied to compensation up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(ii).

(ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example.

(b)

(1) Computation. The employee tax is computed by multiplying the amount of the employee's compensation with respect to which the employee tax is imposed by the rate applicable to such compensation, as determined under paragraph (a) of this section. The applicable rate is the rate in effect when the compensation is received by the employee. For rules relating to the time of receipt, see §31.3121(a)-2 (a) and (b).

(2) Example. The rule in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is illustrated by the following example.

[T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66189, Dec. 23, 1994]