Withholdings on Paycheck Question?

Question

I started a new job three weeks ago. My first check was for the first week. I just got my second check for the last two weeks. You'd think the second check would be 2x the first one, right? Well, it was about $200 less because a lot more was withheld for fed and state taxes. What's up with that? Is it not just the same percentage that is withheld every time?

Answer 1

I'm not an expert but I do know the percentage is based on what you make. The more you make, the higher the percentage. So yeah, the two weeks pay will be a lot more taken off than the 1 week pay.

I can't tell you exact numbers tho.

Answer 2

Was there any deductions from the first check ? You work for a company that pays every two weeks, they paid you one week to get you into the cycle of every two weeks, the two week check could include the deductions for three weeks. You can ask the paymaster about this as it is a reasonable question.

Answer 3

No.  Your tax for the first paycheck was probably UNDERwithheld - if your pay period is two weeks, taxes were calculated as if you'd only make that much every two weeks, where actually in a normal 2 week period you'd make twice that much so would be taxed at a higher rate.

Answer 4

To avoid speculation, your employer would be the most accurate resource to answer your question.