How much does the government take from wages?

Question

how much does government take away from wages?

Answer 1

You're giving us very little information.  On $8.50/hour - let's say you work 40 hours/week for 52 weeks per year.  I am assuming you are single and childless.  After applying your standard deduction ($5350) and your personal exemption credit ($3400), you have a taxable income of $8930.  This means your tax liability is around $948.  If your end of year pay stub or W-2 shows that more than $948 has been taken out in total tax for the year, you may get some sort of refund.  If less than that amount is taken out you may have to pay.

But this is all dependent on limited information from you.  Other factors may come into play - such as if you are a dependent on someone else's return or if you are a contractor as opposed to an employee, or if you have other income such as bank interest, etc..etc.....

Answer 2

It depends on your total income for the year, your filing status, and a few other things.

Answer 3

It varies.