Italy Anonymous Remailer wrote:

- quote -

To give a meaningful reply, tell us please what is your
federal withholding status? Single or Married? How many
allowances claimed?

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

<< ================================================== ===== > << The foregoing is intended for educational purposes only > << and does NOT constitute legal OR professional advice. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2005) - All rights reserved. > << ================================================== ===== >

- quote -

It sounds like your withholding might be a little low, but
33% would be way too high. Anywhere from about 15% to 25%
would be more realistic. Withholding is not a simple flat
percentage. It depends on the filing status and the number
of withholding exemptions that you put down on the W-4 form
that you filled out, and whether there are any pre-tax
deductions that reduce your taxable income. It also depends
on your actual earnings in each two-week pay period. It's
not clear from your post whether you earned the $1,557.23 in
two weeks (with overtime) or over a longer time. If you
started the job in the middle of a pay period, the
withholding on your first check would be low because it's
not a full two weeks' pay, but the taxes are calculated as
if that's how much you make every two weeks.

You can use the paycheck calculator at the following link to
figure out what the deductions should be. When you do this,
use a single paycheck, not the year-to-date totals.
http://paycheckcity.com/netpaycalc/netpaycalculator.asp

Bob Sandler

<< ================================================== ===== > << The foregoing is intended for educational purposes only > << and does NOT constitute legal OR professional advice. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2005) - All rights reserved. > << ================================================== ===== >

Italy Anonymous Remailer wrote:

- quote -

First, your employer will withhold 7.65% of the gross wages
for Social Security and Medicare each and every paycheck.

Federal Income Tax withholding (FIT) is based on the number
of withholding allowances and your filing status, and
appropriate tables are available in IRS Pub 15. Your W-4
form is used to tell the employer how much to withhold.

A lesser amount will be withheld for state taxes, depending
on the state of residence, based on the same criteria.

If you can't figure it out from the above information, talk
to your payroll department. I'm sure they will be glad to
enlighten you.

<< ================================================== ===== > << The foregoing is intended for educational purposes only > << and does NOT constitute legal OR professional advice. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2005) - All rights reserved. > << ================================================== ===== >

Can someone please provide some information about the proper
amount to withhold from a paycheck? I don't think my
employer is taking out enough for taxes.

I just came to the states from Australia and I currently
work in Connecticut. I have been working since the 8/1/05.
I make $15.38 an hour for 40 hours and I'm paid every two
weeks. So far I have earned $1,557.23 gross and my net is
$1,364.26 My understanding is that bewteen state, federal
and social security deductions it should be 33% that they
take from my check. Is this correct?

Thank you for your time and the information.

<< ================================================== ===== > << The foregoing is intended for educational purposes only > << and does NOT constitute legal OR professional advice. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2005) - All rights reserved. > << ================================================== ===== >