My annual income was 26,563 and only 550 was deducted for FICA

[Kbky]

My taxes show only $550 were deducted from my w2 with an income of $26,563. Along with social security wages of $3,268 with $1,644 being withheld, Medicare same as annual only$280 was withheld. I claim no independent. Another employee same company only made $5,451 and had $202 FICA and the other numbers match the irregularities... Now I owe money that I can't at this time pay back, almost $5000. How can the employer get away with this?

 

[Taxing Matters]

My taxes show only $550 were deducted from my w2 with an income of $26,563. Along with social security wages of $3,268 with $1,644 being withheld, Medicare same as annual only$280 was withheld. I claim no independent. Another employee same company only made $5,451 and had $202 FICA and the other numbers match the irregularities... Now I owe money that I can't at this time pay back, almost $5000. How can the employer get away with this?

This information is not really enough to figure out what the employer did. Tell us the figures that are in boxes 1-10 on your W-2. Also, did you work for the employer all year and how often were you paid (every two weeks, once a month, or whatever)?

But the bottom line here will likely end up being this: if taxes the employer took out on the W-2 match what the employer said it took out on your paystubs then it was up to you to look at your paystubs, notice the withholding was too low, and ask the employer to increase the withholding. It’s ultimately your job to make sure you get your taxes right, not your employer’s job.

 

[The Occultist]

review your pay stub every paycheck so that you can look over how much money is being deducted so that you can make a decision as to whether or not to update your tax forms to adjust how much money is deducted from future paychecks to apply to your taxes. If you do not like how much money is coming out, it is YOUR responsibility to change it. It is NOT your employer's responsibility to hold your hand and give you advice (in fact it might be illegal for your employer to give you tax advice) and let you know if he thinks you are not taking enough money out.