<p>This summer I worked at a summer camp, earning $2,261.75 after taxes. Before taxes, I should have made about $2,875. I'm working at school now, previously earning about $40 every two weeks, but I just added more hours, so now I'm earning about $140 every two weeks. (They aren't taking anything out for taxes with my on campus job, and I haven't figured out why...) Does anyone know if I'll be entitled to any sort of refund - or will I owe money??</p>
<p>If you earn less than the minimum required to pay income taxes, you'll get all of it back as a tax refund. Just make sure you file your income tax return!</p>
<p>What's the minimum?</p>
<p>I don't know why they're not withholding at least FICA tax from your wages. You should ask about it.</p>
<p>Do you know if you are a "1099" employee at the school (like an independent contractor; you don't fill out a W-2; they don't withhold anything; but you get a 1099 form to file with your taxes showing how much they paid you) or are you a regular employee? That's the only reason I can think of that they wouldn't be withholding anything at all. As JHS says, if you're not a "1099" person, you should ask.</p>
<p>Some of the withheld taxes were probably for FICA and Medicaid. Those you won't get back.</p>
<p>I'm just a regular employee, I filled out a W2 form and everything... they don't withhold for anyone I think, or no one I've met... I'm not sure why. Does that mean I'll owe the government money?</p>
<p>I have my daughters workstudy check here (another story...why did they mail it to me??? 3000 miles from the college). The only thing that is withheld on her check is workers comp plan W. There is no FICA withheld on hers either. I doubt that you'll have to pay any taxes and in fact will probably get a refund. I believe the drop dead number is about $5000 (not sure of the exact amount....could be more) of income before you have to pay taxes. Maybe someone here knows the exact amount. I know that neither of my kiddos have ever reached that amount...and IF there was any tax withheld, they got it all back.</p>
<p>Well, what do you know . . . Work-study jobs performed for the educational institution itself are not subject to FICA (as long as they are part-time and the student is an enrolled student).</p>
<p>My school doesn't start to withold taxes until you make a certain amount. It's rather odd. They also go on a fiscal year to determine that. So, when I work through summer, by the end of the fiscal year in summer they start to take out taxes. The amount I know for needing to pay and not get a refund back is $5,000. Also depends if your parents claim you as a dependant and a few other things. If you go to irs.gov there's an interactive thing called "do you need to file a federal income tax return?"</p>
<p>When I was in college (in the dark ages), on-campus student jobs were exempt from Social Security. Four years of working on campus got me no credits towards Social Security. Apparently colleges had the choice at one point to opt out of SS. Have no idea if this still applies, but it might be the reason. Check with the on-campus employer's payroll folks -- they will probably know right off the bat.</p>
<p>As far as federal withholding -- that is dependent on the amount of money made. $40 a paycheck won't get withheld, but if that person suddenly has a $2-300 paycheck, expect that the amount will trigger federal withholding. Depending on one's total earnings for the year, the student may get it all back. If you know you won't make the fed minimum, you can W-4 out of it.</p>