While working on my sons taxes on his W-2 there is no federal withholding is that common I’ve never come across this before

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Is your son a teenager who did not earn very much in 2017, perhaps?  Either he made so little that the employer did not withhold tax, or he may have filled out a W-4 at work incorrectly and had no tax withheld.  If he made less than $6350 and had no federal tax withheld, he does not have to file a tax return.  If box 1 of his W-2 shows more than that, he will owe some tax and needs to file a tax return.  Assuming he is your dependent, if he files a return he must say that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.  If my guesses about this are wrong, please post back with more details.  But his earnings do NOT go on your own tax return.

[mikmax93]

No my son is not a teenager but when he got his w2 today and I was going to do his taxes for him and this is what was blank  and I thought all employers  we’re responsible and taking out federal tax and I don’t guess he understood anything different when he was setting up  his employment if that was the case that they just didn’t take him out because he didn’t put it in

[xmasbaby0]

Before you prepare his tax return he should check with the employer and make sure that box 2 is correct.  One other thing--is this really a W-2?  Or is it a 1099Misc?