Tax question: Please help!!?

Question

I need to know if I if this is right, because I or anyone I talk to say it is not, but I don't know for sure. Is it right, if you are NOT self-employed, for them to take employer taxes out on you every week? I pay my taxes, yet they are also charging me 88.00 every 2 weeks for employer taxes. Shouldn't the employer pay their own taxes? I added it up, and it equaled up to$176.92 a month, which is$ 2,123.04 a year, I tried to ask them about it on the phone, and they make it to where you can't understand what they are sayin, and they said they would call me back, and never did. I just need to know, if it is right for the employee to be getting employer taxes withheld from their check? Please help me out here, and if I am not souposed to be paying this, who do I contact to help me resolve this, because personally, I don't think this is fair. Any help will be greatly appreciated......

A little more info here, no I did not have this accounted for on my w-2, they did not put it on there, and yes, they are taking this every 2 weeks, that is how I get paid, every 2 weeks. They take out state, federal, social security and medicare, and these are the only things listed on my w-2's, they did not give me any proof so I could file tjis, yet they are taking it, and it is not like I own my own buissness or anything, I simply take care of a guy with cebreal palsy. They are trying to tell me that I have to pay them to work for Sonny(the guy I care for) this does not make any sense to me, and I am stressing over thois, because I don't know what to do about it. I have never heard of anyone having to pay their employers taxes. pleas if you have any knowledge on this matter, I need your help here. Thanks.....

Answer 1

From your additional comments it sounds to me like they are trying to charge you for the cost of having you as an employee. I'd definitely talk to an attorney or another expert, even the Dept. of Labor and show them this "Employer Tax" on your pay stubs and how it's not on your W2. Something is VERY wrong and may even be illegal. It looks to me like they're trying to save the expenses they incur for having you as an employee. As an employee they are paying half your social security and workmen's comp., possibly more.

Even if you were placed by an employment agency you would know in advance that you have to pay an employment agency fee. It would be in your contract with them and would not be called a tax. It's never a surprise and would be deductible as an employee expense if it exceeds 2% of your adjusted gross income and you itemize.

Answer 2

They are doing it right, they are taking out the taxes that you are going to owe on YOUR earnings, You work, you earn income you are taxed on that. When you file your tax return each year you might get some of the Federal withholding back.
The employer takes from your wages, Federal Tax, Social Security Tax, State and or Local Tax, Health Insurance premiums if applicable and others deductions as required by your state,
They inturn send that to the various agencies on your behalf

UPDATE
Are you working for an employment agency? from your 2nd comment, thats what it sounds like. If they are charging you a fee of 88.00 every 2 weeks for having found the job for you and placing you in that job, it may be legal, you might want to ask your local Dept of Labor to see if it is legal in your State. did you sign an employment contract with this agency?

Answer 3

Are you looking at your W4? (the one that came in the mail or your work gave you to do your income taxes)
Or are you looking at your Pay stub? (the thing you get with your paycheck each time)

The government is funny. They take a little bit of your paycheck each time you get paid. It is almost like the amount that they "guess" will be good enough depending on what you make. At the end of the year (and maybe at the end of that year's multiple jobs you could have had) You (or the person who does your taxes) looks at how much they have taken from you over the year and compare it to what they should have taken. If they took too much, they will give you a refund of the money you already paid throughout the year. But...if they "guessed" wrong or things changed...you may have to give them a little extra beyond what you have already paid through your paychecks. Seeing as your tax for this job this year was $2123.04, you will probably be seeing some of that money come back to you in the form of a refund when your taxes are done.


Now the word you're using is "employer tax" I dont understand where you are seeing this. Please check your documents and be sure that this is a "Federal Tax" or maybe "State Tax" something like that. Where do you see this? Paystub or W4? Edit your question so we can help you better. Good Luck!

Answer 4

You should have 4 things deducted; state income tax, social security, medicare and federal wage tax. Then you have medical insurance and any other voluntary deductions. I've never heard of "employer taxes". Could you give more info?

RB

Answer 5

The employer deducts tax money every week on behalf of the government. This pays your taxes for you in advance. This isn;t paying THEIR taxes, it pays YOUR taxes.

When you do your taxes , your W4 statement (will arrive in the mail) and will show what you paid in taxes...$2123.04. If you made $16,000, after deductions, then your income taxes as a single person would be $2026. SInce you already paid $2123.04, then that amont covers your taxes and you will receive back $97.04 from the government as overpayment. If you made $17,000, then your taxes will be $2176 and you will owe some additional money.

It is fair, and wise to do this...Would you have $2026 in your pocket today to pay your taxes if it had not been deducted already?

Answer 6

Are they actually taking it out of your pay, or just showing it on your paystub to let you know what they are paying on your behalf? Add up all the other deductions, plus your net pay, and see if that equals your gross pay - if it does, then they are just showing it to you, not actually deducting it from your pay.