Retirement tax questions

Hi @Opus 17 ! Thank you so much for your response and clarification. So I pulled up my paycheck and it does state a line item labeled "Federal Withholding" but nothing about SS or anything else.

 

How should I contact the IRS to confirm if my TA job is considered "compensation"?  Should I e-mail them?  I suppose that the IRS doesn't pick up phone calls.... what would be your best recommendation on how I should contact them to confirm 100% if my TA job is considered compensation?  Ideally, I would like to make sure of this before I contribute because I just don't want to be penalized.

 

Thank you in advance! Hope you're staying safe!