Tax witholding for the W-4 form and the IT-2104

@5083158 ,  are you talking about being an intern during the summer break ?

1. US tax system , while voluntary (?) works on kind of Pay as you earn ( PAYE) and tries to  use W-4 as a means  for the  taxpayer to tell the  employer how much tax is to be withheld ( i.e. taken  out of the paycheck ) per pay period. This withheld amount ( for  the federal & State ) are then deposited  directly with the taxing authority. 

2. The official aim  for the form is to  "pre-pay " what would be owed  when you file your return ( a reconciliation effort ) at the end of the tax year.  However, in actual fact , most taxpayer allow the  employer to withhold  and transmit ( to the taxing authorities) more  than required to be current -- thus expecting a large refund at the end of the year ( it is like a free loan to the authorities but also a savings plan for the taxpayer.  Whereas the  IRS / State is legally only required / allowed to collect  what is due, by you signing the W-4  , you make a voluntary  excess / loan to the taxing authority.

3. For  a student only working during the Summer as an intern , generally  and using "Single"  filing status  is normal and generally sufficient.

4. For international students however, this may be too much depending on the country you are from -- because some treaty countries assert NO  taxation on students up to an amount or for a number of years.  Thus you should tell me which country you are from.   Generally though it is safe  for you to use  1 ( single ) as  filing status and no other special  deductions.

P)lease tell me which country you are from, when you first entered this country, what visa are you on etc. etc.

pk