i am a home caregiver- i keep asking why fed taxes are not taken-she keeps saying because i don't make enough.

Question

i looked up fed taxes and it starts at $0.

Answer 1

It is possible that you don't make enough to have taxes withheld. If you want to have her withhold something, you'll have to change your W4. If you are already withholding at the "Single" rate, and if you claim that you have zero children, then you can choose to have a certain dollar amount taken out of your check in taxes.
If you are not claiming "single" on your W4, then doing that could help you to have taxes withheld. So will lowering the number of children you claim allowances for. Keep in mind that you are permitted to fill out the W4 in a way that is different from the way you file your tax return - it's not illegal to "lie" on the W4, especially if you are asking more taxes to be withheld.
There is also the possibility that she is not taking taxes out because she is considering you to be self-employed. Is she taking out FICA taxes? Or State taxes (if you have them)? If not, you might want to sit down with a tax professional and discuss deductions and how this will affect your return. I have seen this happen dozens of times in your profession.

Answer 2

If you are directly employed by the person you are caring for, you are a household employee. If you earn $1,500 in a calendar year as a household employee (different rules than regular employees,) your wages are subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you have crossed this threshold, you are making enough and tax should be withheld Income tax is due on your wages, whatever they are, but does not need to be withheld unless you and the employer both agree. If your employer refuses, you can file Form 8919 with your income tax return and pay the employee part of the tax and get credit.

Answer 3

Social security and medicare start at $0. Withholding for income tax starts at a higher limit, and the limit depends on what you put on your W-4.

If they aren't even taking out social security and medicare, then you are being paid as an independent contractor. Ask them again.

Did you fill out any tax forms when you started work for them? If you filled out a W-4 then they are considering you to be an employee - if they had you fill out a W-9, they're considering you as an independent contractor.

Answer 4

you are being treated as an independent contractor, which means you are going to pay all the taxes out of the money you earn. If you can come and go as you please, have no specific repeatable tasks each day, then you might be a contractor. if you work the hours determined by your employer, and do the tasks they demand on a regular schedule, you are an employee deserving of social security being paid by the employer as well, as workers comp. one-half of the income tax (instead of you paying it all). inform them in writing (e-mail, or regular mail) you expect back taxes to be paid and current taxes withheld.