Taxable wage base
The taxable wage base is the maximum amount on which you must pay taxes for each employee. The rate is calculated each year based on average wages in Washington. Following are rates for recent years.2012 - $38,200
2011 - $37,300
2010 - $36,800
2009 - $35,700
2008 - $34,000
2007 - $31,400
2006 - $30,900
2005 - $30,500
Examples for 2011:
If the employee's salary = $26,000, pay taxes on $26,000.
If the employee's salary = $43,000, pay taxes on $37,300 of their wages.
The amount over the taxable wage base of $37,300 ($5,700 in the second example) is considered excess wages. Excess wages are reported (for unemployment-insurance benefits purposes), but are subtracted from the employee's total wages, so you do not pay taxes on the amount above the taxable wage base ($37,300 in 2011).
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