Can my 17 year old claim exempt on W4?

Asked by: Mrs. Angie Halvorson III  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (3 votes)

Generally, if a minor's income does not exceed the standard deduction he or she will not be required to file a tax return. If the above scenario is true, then the minor can check the box on Form W-4 that classifies he or she as exempt from withholding.

Is my 17 year old exempt from federal withholding?

Your child may be exempt from income tax withholding if in both the prior year and the current tax year the teen owes no federal income tax.

Should a student claim exempt on w4?

If you are a student, you are not automatically exempt. However, you may qualify to be exempt from paying Federal taxes. Please follow the chart below to determine your eligibility.

Can anyone claim exempt on W4?

An employee can also use Form W-4 to tell you not to withhold any federal income tax. To qualify for this exempt status, the employee must have had no tax liability for the previous year and must expect to have no tax liability for the current year.

Can I claim my 17 year old on my taxes if he works?

A 17 year old can file their own tax return. But you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return even if you are not claimed, you must indicate on your return that you can be claimed as a dependent. As a dependent you are not eligible for a stimulus payment.

How to Fill Out an Exempt W4 Form | 2024 | Money Instructor

40 related questions found

Why is my 17 year old not eligible for tax credits?

Now, a question arises: why does the Child Tax Credit cease when the child attains the age of 17? Though it may appear random, the logic behind this lies in societal norms that align 17 with the coming-of-age stage. This age has typically marked the end of school and the start of either higher education or employment.

Should my 17 year old file his own taxes?

An unmarried dependent student must file a tax return if his or her earned or unearned income exceeds certain limits. To find these limits, refer to "Dependents" under "Who Must File" in Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction and Filing Information.

Is it better to claim 0 or exempt?

By placing a “0” on line 5, you are indicating that you want the most amount of tax taken out of your pay each pay period. If you wish to claim 1 for yourself instead, then less tax is taken out of your pay each pay period. 2. You can choose to have no taxes taken out of your tax and claim Exemption (see Example 2).

What happens if I accidentally claimed exempt on my W4?

However, if you incorrectly file as exempt, you could owe back taxes and fines during tax season.

How to qualify for tax exemption?

To apply for tax exemptions, organizations have to apply for recognition of exemption. This results in the formal recognition of the organization's status by the IRS. Usually, organizations that don't operate for profit and provide valuable service to the communities can apply for tax exemption.

Should my child claim 0 or 1?

Claiming 1 reduces the amount of taxes that are withheld from weekly paychecks, so you get more money now with a smaller refund. Claiming 0 allowances may be a better option if you'd rather receive a larger lump sum of money in the form of your tax refund.

How long can you go exempt without being penalized?

How long do exemptions from withholding last? Normally, Form W-4 does not expire. But, if an employee claims they are exempt from federal income tax, they need to give you a new Form W-4 each year to keep the exemption. An exemption from withholding is only good for one year.

How much tax is taken out of a 16 year old's paycheck?

If a 16-year-old earns more than $400 as a sole proprietor, they must file a tax return and pay 15.3 percent in self-employment taxes to cover their SSN and medical payments. Also, they pay 10% if they make at least $120 a month and work for an employer who doesn't have to pay certain taxes.

Am I exempt from withholding if I am a dependent?

If you were financially reliant upon a family member for the majority of the year, this person could claim your income for tax purposes. Additionally, to claim exempt from withholding federal taxes, you must have owed no federal income tax in the previous year and expect to owe nothing in the current year.

What should I put on my W4 to avoid owing taxes?

If you want less taxes taken out of your paychecks, perhaps leading to having to pay a tax bill when you file your annual return, here's how you might adjust your W-4. Increase the number of dependents. Reduce the number on line 4(a) or 4(c). Increase the number on line 4(b).

What is federal tax dependent under 17?

The child tax credit is a tax benefit for people with dependent children under 17. Eligibility depends on filing status, income and the child's relationship to the caregiver. The maximum credit amount is $2,000, but it phases out based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) levels.

Can I get in trouble for claiming exempt?

Is filing as exempt illegal? No, filing as exempt is not illegal – however you must meet a series of criteria in order to file exempt status on your Form W-4. Also, even if you qualify for an exemption, your employer will still withhold for Social Security and Medicare taxes.

What happens if I change my W4 to exempt?

If an employee qualifies for exemption from withholding, the employee can use Form W-4 to tell the employer not to deduct any federal income tax from wages. This applies only to income tax, not to Social Security or Medicare tax.

Do you owe money if you claim exempt?

If you still claim exempt from withholding and earn income in excess of this amount, you will probably owe some taxes unless you qualify for refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit.

Should my 16 year old claim exempt on W4?

Generally, if a minor's income does not exceed the standard deduction he or she will not be required to file a tax return. If the above scenario is true, then the minor can check the box on Form W-4 that classifies he or she as exempt from withholding.

Is it good or bad to file exempt?

Tax exemptions help reduce the taxable income you owe taxes on, lowering your overall tax liability. Whether you're claiming the standard deduction, applying for property tax exemptions, or supporting a tax-exempt organization, understanding how these exemptions work can help you maximize your tax savings.

Why do I always owe taxes when I claim 0?

If you claimed 0 and still owe taxes, chances are you added “married” to your W4 form. When you claim 0 in allowances, it seems as if you are the only one who earns and that your spouse does not. Then, when both of you earn, and the amount reaches the 25% tax bracket, the amount of tax sent is not enough.

Are 17 year olds tax exempt?

Being a minor doesn't exempt a teen from paying taxes, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're required to file a separate tax return from their parents. As a general rule, most U.S. citizens and permanent residents need to file a tax return if they make more than a certain amount for the year.

Why can't I claim my 17 year old on my taxes?

To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.

Can I claim my child as a dependent if she made over $4000?

For qualifying dependents who are not a qualifying child (called “qualifying relatives” in tax law), the person's gross income for the 2023 tax year must be below $4,700 (for 2023). For qualifying relatives, they must get more than half of their financial support from you.