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With summer almost here, many students will turn their attention to making
money from a summer job. Whether it’s flipping burgers or filing documents, the
IRS wants student workers to know some facts about their summer jobs and taxes.
Not all the money they earn will make it to their pocket because employers must
withhold taxes from their paycheck. Here are some tax tips young individuals
should know when starting a summer job.
New employees:
Employees – including those who are students – normally have taxes withheld
from their paychecks by their employer. When anyone gets a new job, they need
to fill out a Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate.
Employers use this form to calculate how much federal income tax to withhold
from the new employee’s pay. The Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov can help a taxpayer fill
out this form.
Self-employment:
Students who do odd jobs over the summer to make extra cash are self-employed. This include jobs like baby-sitting or lawn
care. Money earned from self-employment is taxable, and self-employed workers
may be responsible for paying taxes directly to the IRS. One way they can do
this is by making estimated tax payments during the year.
Tip income:
Students working as waiters or camp counselors who earn tips as part of their summer income should know tip
income is taxable. They should keep a daily log to accurately report tips. They
must report cash tips to their employer for any month that totals $20 or more.
Payroll taxes: This tax pays for benefits under the Social Security system. While students may earn too little from their summer job to owe income tax, employers usually must still withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from their pay. If a student is self-employed, Social Security and Medicare taxes may still be due and are generally paid by the student.
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps pay: If a student is in an ROTC program, and receives pay for activities such as summer advanced camp, it is taxable. Other allowances the student may receive – like food and lodging – may not be taxable. The Armed Forces’ Tax Guide on IRS.gov provides details.
