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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 6:37:08 PM

Turbo Tax won't let me file a w2 with SS retention = $0

Employees submitted W4 with very low income after deductions for 2015.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:46 PM

I'm still not following you.

The number of exemptions the employee claimed on his/her W-4 does not affect the Soc Security or Medicare withholding, just FIT and State income tax.

24 Replies
Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:10 PM

What ls "SS retention?"

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:11 PM

Social security (and Medicare) withheld

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:12 PM

Why was no social security withheld? Is the taxpayer a public employee or teacher who doesn't pay into social security?

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:14 PM

"Employees submitted W4 with very low income after deductions for 2015."?????
2015? 2016?

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:15 PM

The employees submitted a W4 with a very low projected income after deductions.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:16 PM

2015

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:18 PM

Sorry, 2016

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:19 PM

When the yearly income is too low, social security and medicare is not withheld. At least that was my understanding. Part time workers often time fit that case.

Level 9
May 31, 2019 6:37:21 PM

Not true.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:22 PM

Well, when I try I've got two pop ups warning me that withholding cannot be $0 and will not accept the entry.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:23 PM

Contact your employer and find out why they didn't withhold social security and medicare and request they issue a corrected W-2 if it should have been withheld.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:26 PM

Were they household employees?

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:27 PM

@Texas Roger
OP is apparently the employer.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:28 PM

Yes, I am

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:30 PM

Not household employees, part time -as needed- employees

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:34 PM

Not aware of any exception to withholding except for household employees with income below $2000.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:36 PM

Household employees = $1900 for 2016.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:38 PM

@SweetieJean These IRS instructions and also an SSA publication say $2000 for 2016. Am I reading it wrong? <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040sh/ar01.html">https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040sh/ar01.html</a>

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:39 PM
Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:40 PM

Here's the SSA pub: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10021.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10021.pdf</a>  Maybe TurboTax has not updated that tax topic.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:41 PM

Don't you have to earn a minimum per year to pay Social Security taxes?

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:43 PM

I'm no expert on this but I don't find anything in IRS publications that excludes low income employees (other than household workers) from social security and medicare withholding. See p. 23 of this publication for employers: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf</a>

If you are self employed, you are not required to pay self employment taxes on income of less than $400.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:37:44 PM

Thank you

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:37:46 PM

I'm still not following you.

The number of exemptions the employee claimed on his/her W-4 does not affect the Soc Security or Medicare withholding, just FIT and State income tax.