how much should i take out of my checks if i have to take it out manually per pay check if taxes are not taken out?

[alyssa-barwig]

i live in california and make 20 dollars an hour and works 2 hours a day and get paid once a month and work 5 days a week

[VolvoGirl]

Will you be getting a W2 at the end of the year or a 1099NEC?  Better ask them.   Are they taking out Social Security and Medicare taxes but no income taxes?  For W2 income,  If you work 2 hrs  a day  for 5 days a week that's only 10 hrs a week x 4 weeks is 40 hours x $20 is only $800.  That is below the taxable amount so you shouldn't owe any tax on it.  Will you have any other income?    If you want to have some withholding taxes taken out you can give your employer a new W4 form.  But  you won't be making enough to have any taxes taken out.  You could put down a set amount Like $20 or more so you will get back a refund when you file your tax return.  

If they pay you as an independent contractor and give you a 1099NEC that is self employment income and you will owe self employment tax 15.3% on it.   You will need to send in quarterly estimated tax payments to cover the SE tax.   So figure  20% for federal and state taxes.  

[alyssa-barwig]

I work for the school district and it has a W2 page where I see my paycheck and such, so I'm sure I would but I don't know if that's maybe if I am working more hours but 69 dollars was taken out for like Medicare and social security I believe. Just not the main ones like I've seen at my previous job like say if you claim zero and single and it takes out federal and state.

[VolvoGirl]

Ok $69 for SS & Medicare means like your gross check was around $905.   If that's all you make on your paychecks you will not owe any federal or state income tax on it unless you have other income for the year.    You may not even need to file a tax return next April if your income is lower than the filing amount.  

If you are Single and get a W2 anything over 14,600 (for 2024) or 15,750 (for 2025)  is taxable.  You don't have to file if you only have W2 income under 14,600 or 15,750 but you can file to get back any withholding taken out in W2 boxes 2 or 17.

[alyssa-barwig]

i am married with 4 kids

[alyssa-barwig]

my check was 789 with the 69 taken out it wasnt a full month check yet

[VolvoGirl]

Oh if you are married and file a joint return the amount required to file is $31,500.   Does your spouse work?  Your wages added to their income probably won’t make a difference for 2025.   On the Joint return you can get the Child Tax Credit and the EIC earned income credit.   

If your paycheck was $789 with 69 deductions that sounds right and what I am  figuring.   I would put down Single and 0 on your W4, but the new W4 has a different way to fill it out.   I don’t think you need any income tax withholding on your pay unless your spouse isn’t having enough taken out of their checks.   

[alyssa-barwig]

he does work and he works at least 40 hours a week give or take. sometimes gets overtime. and makes 27 an hour

[alyssa-barwig]

he does claim zero on the W4s just so it takes the most taxes out