I'm 17, Should I claim 0 or 1?

Question

Well I started working at my job last August when I was 16, and I'm pretty sure my mom had wrote down 1 for claim, but when I got to the interview the lady was like I'd change to it 0, so she did.

I'll be 18 in November, not sure if that makes a difference, but what should I really be claiming.

Considering that last year I ended up oweing money back to state even after they take about $50 from every check I made! I get paid every 2 weeks, and don't usually work more than 14 hours per week.

Here's an example:

For 35.75 hours, I made 303.88 -- I actually was paid $257.16

I don't know that just seems like a large amount being taken out, and I still owed at the end of last year.

So, what should I be claiming?

Answer 1

Use mathematics and your brain. Thats what u should be using to claim your answer

Answer 2

Ive always claimed zero.  I dont like having a large tax bill to pay in April.

I like getting a refund back .

People who claim one, usually dont want the govt keeping and using their money -- just because its money they could be using now.   They'd usually end up paying a hefty amt back to the govt.     I never was able to set money aside for that, when I was younger, so  I went with zero

Leave it at zero.  Ive claimed zero for all my loooong life.

Answer 3

If your parents can claim you as a dependent then you should put 0.  More money will be taken out but you will not owe later.  BTW, how much total salary did you make and have to pay?  You only owed the state?  You can have different W-4 allowances for state and federal, you CAN have 0 for state and 1 for federal if you wanted to, they do not ahve to match.  If you are unsure about the taxes withheld, you can go to www.paycheckcity.com and see what taxes are withheld with different W-4 allowances.

Answer 4

Ok, here is how I told my son

"If you want a savings back at tax time then claim 0 (govt takes more out of your checks).  

If you want more money each paycheck and less at tax time, claim 1 (govt takes less from your checks)"

He is claiming 1 since he is using his $ for college and gas.

If you owed last time, you may want to check into that.  That doesn't sound right.  

I don't file my taxes anymore (my hubby does it) so I am out of the loop.  He did suggest to my son to claim one so he'd have a bigger paycheck to play with now and not worry about the tax refund.

Answer 5

If your parents are claiming you then you should put down single 0.  But if you are going to claim yourself then you should put down single 1.

Yeah the government like taking your money that you worked hard for so they can give it to the people who don't work.  Doesn't make much sense does it.

Answer 6

Umm, well, we talked about this in my Personal Finance class. Im almost 100% sure that you should clain 0, idk why, but my teacher just kept saying "your saving money by doing this" Hope this helps!!!