Are My Taxes Too High for My Summer Job?

[pergradus]

So I have a summer job doing research for a professor at my school and I'm paid by the hour. I live and work in New York State.

I got my first check today, and a total of 16.5% of my check was taken by taxes. I paid:

9.12% in Federal Income Tax
1.45% in FICA Medicare Tax
4.61% in FICA SS Tax
1.78% in NYS Tax

I live on my own, I don't get any financial assistance from anyone, I have no health insurance, and I don't expect to earn more than $5000 this summer, which will probably be all I earn for the entire year.

Do those rates above seem right?? Do I really have to pay for crap like Medicare and Social Security when I'm 22 years old? I tried using a tax calculator online, and it said:

Based on the information you previously entered, your anticipated income tax for 2011 is $0. If you do not change your current withholding arrangement, your withholding for 2011 will approximately equal your tax, and any refund or balance due should be less than $25.

I don't understand what this means... does this mean I'm not eligible for any refund at the end of the year, or that I shouldn't be paying any income tax?? I have tried asking the payroll people at my school but they refused to answer questions citing it is against school policy to give students advice on their taxes and that I have to ask my parents, but unfortunately I have none. Any help?

 

[phinds]

Yes, you have to pay for that "crap". What did you think, you're going to go through life not paying for it and then draw it like everyone else?

You won't owe any state or federal income tax though so you'll get all that back.

 

[OnlyMe]

First you cannot take this as absolute. I live in California and at least the state tax portion may be different. That said...

It sounds like the school is using a standard tax table to withhold taxes. The table assumes that the income is annual, meaning that this is not a summer job that will go away. The Internet tax calculator on the other hand treats your total income as an annual income. As annual income it sounds like $5000 is less than your standard deduction and results in no tax due.

If withholding remains as it is, you should be eligible for a refund when filling. If this is all of your income for the year.., you have no other taxable income.., you may wish to consult a tax 'man' to see if changing your dependents is an option, to reduce the withholding.

REMEMBER I AM NOT A TAX PROFESSIONAL. DO NOT TAKE THIS AS DEFINITIVE TAX ADVICE.

 

[pergradus]

I don't understand, if I will get it all back what's the point of withholding it in the first place? Is it just interest-free credit for the government?

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

You will not get a refund for the Medicare and SS taxes. However, you will get one from the feds for the federal income tax and from the state of NY for the NYS state tax. You can avoid the withholding for these by filling out a W-2 form. Ask HR for one. You have to fill out your tax forms next April to get the money back that is coming to you, the govt will not give you the money unless you do.

 

[Vanadium 50]

They don't know you will get it all back. And yes, it is interest-free credit. The government must save about $50 million a year doing this.

 

[jtbell]

If you're sure you won't actually have to pay Federal income tax on your income this year, you should be able to declare to the university's payroll or HR department that you are exempt from federal tax withholding. There's an IRS form (I've forgotten the number) for making this and other changes to your federal withholding.

Anything that's already been withheld for Federal tax, you'll have to get back next year by filing a tax return.

 

[rhody]

You will not get a refund for the Medicare and SS taxes. However, you will get one from the feds for the federal income tax and from the state of NY for the NYS state tax. You can avoid the withholding for these by filling out a W-2 form. Ask HR for one. You have to fill out your tax forms next April to get the money back that is coming to you, the govt will not give you the money unless you do.

Jimmy, FYI pergradus,

Did you mean to say a http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&t...c.r_pw.&fp=951dc7972bfd90fb&biw=1366&bih=585" form, to have less taxes withheld ?

Rhody...

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Jimmy, FYI pergradus,

Did you mean to say a W-4 form, to have less taxes withheld?

Rhody...

Yes, of course. The W-2 is the form that the employer will send you and which you then send to the IRS and NY state office to get your refund. You need to fill out a W-4 so that there will be no more withholding. The amount already withheld will not be returned to you until you fill out your tax forms in April next year.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Be careful, though. If you actually owe them money and tell them not to withhold, the IRS will indicate their displeasure by making you file quarterlies in the following years.

 

[jtbell]

Form W-4, that's the one:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf?portlet=3 (irs.gov)

Note specifically line 7: "I claim exemption from withholding for 2011 [...]"

 

[pergradus]

So even if they are withholding too much money, or I messed up on my W-2 and they are taking more than they should, if I file next year I can always get back the correct amount?

i.e. I'm not losing money?

 

[Proton Soup]

correct

 

[Evo]

Also, if you are due money back, don't wait until April, that's the deadline to file to PAY additional tax. If you are due a return, file as soon as you receive your W2, which should be by Jan 31st.

 

[arildno]

PAY additional taxes??

I always get paid back, and I'm anxiously waiting for this years' pay-back of about 1500 dollars worth of kroner..