Should a college student claim 0 or 1 on W4?

Asked by: Katherine Hintz  |  Last update: October 4, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (38 votes)

In terms of completing a W-4 form as a college student, it really depends on your individual financial situation. Many college students, if they're not dependents of their parents, tend to claim 1 because they're essentially only providing for themselves. However, if you're a dependent, it's standard to claim 0.

Should my 19 year old claim 0 or 1?

Generally selecting 0 will cause you to withhold more and provide a refund at years end. Selecting 1 could cause you to owe some at the end of the year.

Is it better to choose 0 or 1 on W4?

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).

How should a college student fill out a W4?

How to fill out a W-4
  1. Step 1: Enter your personal information. Fill in your name, address, Social Security number and tax filing status. ...
  2. Step 2: Account for multiple jobs. ...
  3. Step 3: Claim dependents, including children. ...
  4. Step 4: Refine your withholdings. ...
  5. Step 5: Sign and date your W-4.

Will I owe money if I claim 1?

Claiming 1 on Your Taxes

Claiming 1 reduces the amount of taxes that are withheld, which means you will get more money each paycheck instead of waiting until your tax refund. You could also still get a small refund while having a larger paycheck if you claim 1.

Should college students claim 0 or 1 on their W4?

40 related questions found

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 smart to claim 1?

Claiming 1 on your tax return reduces withholdings with each paycheck, which means you make more money on a week-to-week basis. When you claim 0 allowances, the IRS withholds more money each paycheck but you get a larger tax return.

Should I claim 1 or 0 as a college student?

Many college students, if they're not dependents of their parents, tend to claim 1 because they're essentially only providing for themselves. However, if you're a dependent, it's standard to claim 0.

How to claim a college student on taxes?

However, to claim a college student as a dependent on your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service has determined that the qualifying child or qualifying relative must: Be younger than the taxpayer (or spouse if MFJ) and: Be under age 19, Under age 24 and a full-time student for at least five months of the year.

Why do I owe taxes if 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.

Can you no longer claim 1 on W4?

Employees can no longer claim withholding allowances to lower their federal income tax withheld.

Do I claim myself as a dependent?

No. You can't claim yourself as a dependent on taxes. Tax dependency is applicable to your qualifying dependent children and relatives only.

What are some advantages and disadvantages for claiming 0 on your w4?

if you claim 0, you may have a few dollars less in your paycheck and then get it back at the end of the year as a refund. If you 1, you could owe something at the end of the year. The perfect return is to not owe any money and not get a refund.

Should I claim my 19 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.

How do I fill out a W4 to get more money?

You can adjust your withholding by filling out a new W-4 form and submitting it to your employer. If you want more money withheld, enter an additional amount in Step 4(c).

How to get less taxes taken out of a paycheck?

For federal tax withholding: Submit a new Form W-4 to your employer if you want to change the withholding from your regular pay. Complete Form W-4P to change the amount withheld from pension, annuity, and IRA payments.

Is it better to not claim a college student as dependent?

Cons of Claiming a College Student as a Dependent

If your child has earned income and you claim them as a dependent, they lose the opportunity to claim their own personal exemption (when applicable in future years) and certain tax credits that could be more advantageous for them.

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

The child must have lived with you for more than half of the year.2 3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,300.3 Gross income means all income the person received in the form of money, goods, property and services, that isn't exempt from tax.

How should a college student fill out a W4 2024?

Note: The W-4 form 2024 steps are the same as the W-4 form 2025 steps.
  1. Step 1: Enter your personal information. ...
  2. Step 2: Account for all jobs you and your spouse have. ...
  3. Step 3: Claim your children and other dependents. ...
  4. Step 4: Make other adjustments. ...
  5. Step 5: Sign and date your form.

What happens if you get a 0 in a college class?

If you fail a class, you'll get a 0 on your transcript — and that can bring down your GPA. Failed classes count toward your GPA, though some colleges do not count pass/fail classes in your GPA calculation. If you get an F, you still have to pay for the class without receiving any credit toward your degree.

Should college students file exempt on W4?

Answer: Your status as a full-time student doesn't exempt you from federal income taxes. If you're a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident, the factors that determine whether you owe federal income taxes or must file a federal income tax return include: The amount of your earned and unearned income.

Do college students get taxed differently?

In most cases, the answer to this question is no, in regard to both federal and California income taxes. As the IRS explains, it is not your status as a current or former student that determines your tax filing responsibilities, but rather, factors such as: How much income you earned.

What should a teenager claim on W4?

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. If so, write “Exempt” in box 7 on the 2019 Form W-4, or write “Exempt” in the space under line 4(c) on the 2020 Form W-4.

How to fill out a W4 for dummies?

How to fill out the W-4 form in 2024?
  1. Step 1: Jot down the personal details. This is where you need to write your full name, tax filing status, address, and Social Security number. ...
  2. Step 2: Adjust for more than one job. ...
  3. Step 3: Account for Dependents. ...
  4. Step 4: Fine-tune Your Withholdings. ...
  5. Step 5: Conclude the Form.

How much does a dependent reduce your taxes on a paycheck?

How much of a tax deduction am I able to claim for each dependent who meets the requirements for a qualifying child or a qualifying relative? Share: Each dependency exemption you claim reduces your taxable income by $5,050.