No federal taxes withheld in 2021 at part time job?

[bdee122]

In 2021, I worked two jobs. I left my part time job in September 2021. For the month of January, I was a 1099 employee at this part time job, from February until I left in September I was a W2 employee. I made around $3960 at this job last year and received my W2 to find zero in the federal income tax withheld box. Is there a reason why no federal taxes were withheld? When I completed my W4 last year, I requested a certain amount to have withheld for extra on account of me working two jobs.

[GeorgeDenseff]

You will need to ask your employer why taxes were not withheld for W-2 employment.  You employer is responsible for paying their share.  

[ColeenD3 · Accepted solution]

Frequently, when you only work part-time, there is an insufficient weekly or bi-weekly income to meet the amount required on the withholding tables.

The Withholding Tables start on page 12 of this Publication.

[bdee122]

Thank you, that makes sense. I was paid biweekly at this job and I suppose I didn't get paid enough to have federal taxes taken out. I am waiting for a response as to why the extra amount I filled out on my W4 was not taken into account. If it wasn't, would my former employer be in trouble with the IRS for not withholding the extra amount?

[ZoltanB45]

The IRS does use the W4 as guidance to see what should have been withheld for the year. It is unusual for the employee to request greater withholding and not have it be granted. It is usually the other way around, The employee will tell the employer to not take any withholding and the employer needs to find out why. Here is a link with a little information regarding the W4, IRS and Employer relationship. With your situation, the employer would not get in trouble as the IRS would see it as a human error. IRS, W4, Employer

[SundayInSalem]

@bdee122 TurboTax has a free W-4 Calculator that will estimate you refund and help you adjust the amount. It's not perfect and is only an estimate based on the numbers you enter. It also will show you what numbers to put on your W-4. You can file a new Form W-4 with your employer at any time.

You can try it out at W-4 Calculator 2022.