Is it legal to take taxes out of a 15 year old minor?

Question

The w4 filed tax exempt.

Answer 1

Yup.  Taxes are due regardless of the age of the earner.  However, if you've paid any income tax, you'll most likely get it all back at the end of the year.

SSI and Medicare always comes out.  Maybe you get it back in the future, maybe not.

Answer 2

You shouldn't be taxin' 15 yr olds dude...

Answer 3

it's illegal to take taxes out for anyone.

unless, the 15 year old is only working for a small amount of time

i worked at a pet store at 16 for 4 weeks and taxes were taken out for me because i was temporary.

Answer 4

Yes, why would'nt it be?  Might as well get used to it too. You have to do two things in life pay taxes and die, that's the saying.  

Answer 5

minors pay taxes like everyone else.  They aren't exempt from income taxes if they earn money.  They might not pay very much, if any - depending on how much they earn in a year.

Municipalities usually don't tax minors.  But the IRS, and most state with income taxes, do.

Answer 6

Not only is it legal, it's mandatory.  Being a minor doesn't make them tax exempt.  While they MIGHT qualify to claim exempt from withholding of income tax, FICA and Medicare taxes will ALWAYS be deducted.

Presuming that the minor is also a dependent, they can only claim EXEMPT on Form W-4 if they had $0 tax liability last year and will earn less than $5,450 this year AND had less than $300 in unearned income.

Answer 7

The employer is required to take out 7.65% for social security and medicare.  Depending on where you live, state and local taxes might also be required.

The "exempt" on a W-4 only affects federal income tax.  And it doesn't exempt someone from paying if they make over the limit to not be taxed, it's just a declaration up front that the do not expect to owe any federal income taxes so none will be withheld..

Answer 8

How did the taxes get in to a 15 year old minor?

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

If they filed their W4 as tax exempt, then the employer may be in error. However, if they earned enough income that they should have been having taxes withheld, then they should *not* have filed as tax exempt. Sounds like a draw to me.

But to answer your question, no, it is definitely *not* illegal to withhold taxes from a 15-year-old who is employed and earning money. It's perfectly legal. Remember, the tax is called "income tax", not "income-earned-by-adults tax".

They'll likely get everything back at the end of the year as a refund when they file their tax returns, anyway.

Answer 11

It is legal. If you are exempt you will receive a rebate.

Answer 12

If they filed exempt then no federal or state taxes. Medicare, ss, yes.  Age has nothing to do with it. If no taxes are taken out and they earn a lot they can owe taxes at the end of the year.

Answer 13

Anyone who gets a paycheck will get ****** by the gov. 15 year olds most of the time don't get benefits most of the time so it's not as bad for them.