For a business. When I enter payroll taxes in the Federal Deductions section, does that include federal income tax, social security tax and medicare tax my business paid?

[JulieCo · Accepted solution]

No, you only enter the employer portion of taxes paid by the business - which would be the employer portion of Social Security and Medicare, plus any unemployment taxes paid by the business.

Income taxes and FICA/MCARE taxes withheld from employee's paychecks are not deductible expenses for the business, as they are subtracted from the amount due to the employee (as the employee only receives their NET PAY from the business and the business pays the taxes withheld to the government.)  The business deducts the GROSS pay amount as compensation expense instead of the net pay (which would be gross pay less taxes withheld).