Exemptions and Allowances
Each allowance gives you a certain sum, which lowers taxable wages. Consequently, the more allowances you claim, the less federal income tax you pay; the less you claim, the higher your tax withholding. Claiming exempt on the W-4 form also results in no federal income tax withholding.
Similarly one may ask, can an employer get in trouble for not withholding federal taxes?
No Federal Income Tax Withheld
If your employer didn't take out enough, you'll owe on April 15. If your employer took out too much, you'll get a refund. Although the responsibility for paying your taxes ultimately falls on you, employers face criminal and civil penalties for failing to withhold taxes on employees. Beside above, can I choose not to have taxes withheld?
Federal Tax Withholding Exemption
If you meet the requirements for exemption from federal income tax withholding, you can claim “exempt” on line 7 of IRS Form W-4. If you meet these two conditions, you can request to have no federal income tax withheld from your check. How much do you have to make before federal taxes are withheld?
For a single adult under 65 the threshold limit is $12,000. If the taxpayer earned no more than that, no taxes are due. This situation is only slightly different for other taxpayer brackets, such as for single taxpayers over 65, who have a gross income threshold of $13,600.
Will I get a tax refund if no federal taxes were withheld?
After deductions and tax credits are figured in, the amount paid often exceeds the actual amount owed, and a tax refund is issued. If you didn't have any federal taxes withheld from your paycheck you may still get a refund, but there is a chance you could owe taxes instead.