What will be the total deduction for social security and Medicare taxes on Rony's next semimonthly paycheck of \( \$ 3,960 \), if she has already earned \( \$ 42,560 \) this year? (Social security tax is \( 6.2 \% \) of gross wages up to \( \$ 87,900 \). Medicare tax is \( 1.45 \% \) of all gross wages.) Select one: a. \( \$ 283.52 \) b. \( \$ 302.94 \) c. \( \$ 101.87 \) d. \( \$ 242.92 \)

To determine the total deduction for social security and Medicare taxes on Rony's semimonthly paycheck of \( \$ 3,960 \), we start with the calculations for each tax. 1. **Social Security Tax**: Since Rony has already earned \( \$ 42,560 \) this year, her total earnings after this paycheck will be \( \$ 42,560 + \$ 3,960 = \$ 46,520 \). The social security tax applies up to \( \$ 87,900 \), so she is well within that limit. The social security tax on her paycheck is \( 6.2\% \) of \( \$ 3,960 \): \[ \text{Social Security Tax} = 0.062 \times 3,960 \approx \$ 245.52 \] 2. **Medicare Tax**: The Medicare tax applies to all gross wages, so we calculate it on the full amount of \( \$ 3,960 \): \[ \text{Medicare Tax} = 0.0145 \times 3,960 \approx \$ 57.42 \] 3. **Total Deductions**: Adding these two amounts together: \[ \text{Total Deductions} = \$ 245.52 + \$ 57.42 \approx \$ 302.94 \] Thus, the total deduction for social security and Medicare taxes on Rony's next semimonthly paycheck is \( \boxed{b. \, \$ 302.94} \).