topic Re: W-4 withholding in Deductions & credits

W-4 withholding

neteal — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:03:53 GMT

Thers is never any federal taxes withheld from my paycheck. I have my filing status as single, and head of household and I claim my 7-year-old daughter. Is this normal? My ex has always claimed our daughter before, and I also just moved to a different state.

Re: W-4 withholding

FranklinF — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 20:42:58 GMT

I do NOT know your exact circumstances but perhaps there is a possibility that you are being hired as an Independent Contractor and you will receive a 1099 rather than a W-2, instead.

Another possibility is that when filling out your W-4 Form, somehow BOTH boxes, Single, and Head of Household, were checked. ONLY ONE OF THE BOXES SHOULD BE CHECKED and, in combination with the number of dependents that you put on your form W-4, your income-level (low income) per period is such that it does NOT trigger any federal withholdings.

Also, please check STEP 4 from your W-4 form to see if inadvertently, you selected additional withholdings.

Finally, I will advise you to use the W-4 Calculator, W-4 Calculator, and/or consult a local tax professional, if you feel it is necessary.

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Re: W-4 withholding

neteal — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 20:30:38 GMT

I do not receive a 1099. I will ask what I checked. What is the difference between filing head of household and filing single? My income is less than 40k

Re: W-4 withholding

FranklinF — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 20:48:02 GMT

When you file as single you may or may NOT have any dependents but when you file as Head of Household, the general assumption is that you have at least one qualifying dependent for the Head of Household Status. More importantly, the Single Status as compared to the Head of Household Status, is taxed at a HIGHER RATE !!!