For most minors working part-time in 2026, the answer is 7.65% — all from FICA. Social Security and Medicare come out of almost every ordinary W-2 paycheck regardless of age. Federal income tax is $0 for most teens earning under $16,100 annually. This guide shows the exact dollar breakdown for common teen wages from $10 to $15 per hour, covers California-specific deductions, and explains when minors can get a tax refund.
No federal income tax withheld from your paycheck? For most first-job workers this is completely normal — your income may simply be too low for withholding to apply. But there are five different reasons it can happen, and one of them does need fixing. This guide explains each cause, how to tell which one applies to you, and exactly what to do next.
Yes — teenagers pay taxes on their first paycheck, but not always the ones people expect. FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) come out of almost every teen paycheck from day one. Federal income tax depends on total annual earnings and how the W-4 was filled out. This guide covers exactly what taxes come out of a teenager’s first paycheck, whether they will owe anything at tax time, and when they need to file a return.
The 2026 W-4 no longer has a “0 or 1” option — the IRS removed the allowances system in 2020. This guide explains what your 16-year-old should actually put on their W-4, when they can legally claim exempt, what happens if they get it wrong, and what parents need to know before their teenager signs the form.
The 2026 401(k) contribution limit is $24,500 — but if you are in your first job making $35,000–$50,000, you will use less than 15% of that limit. This guide explains what the 2026 401k limits actually mean for a first-time worker, why the employer match matters more than the cap, and what you should actually do this week.
⚡ How much of my paycheck should I put in my 401(k)? — quick answer Yes — if your employer offers a match, contribute at least enough to get the full match on day one. That match is free money and the best guaranteed return on any investment you will ever find. If there is…
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act — and it is the reason your first paycheck is smaller than your hourly rate times hours worked. This plain-English guide explains what FICA is, why 7.65% comes out of every check, what Social Security and Medicare actually fund, whether you ever get it back, and how FICA differs from federal income tax. Includes a pay stub decoder for OASDI, MED, and HI labels.
A pay period is the window of time your paycheck covers — not to be confused with your payday. This plain-English guide explains pay period meaning, the four types of pay schedules, how many paychecks you get per year, and the 2026 pay period calendar including which months biweekly workers get three paychecks and whether 2026 is a 27-paycheck year.
Gross pay vs net pay — one is what you earn, the other is what you keep. This plain-English guide explains exactly what causes the gap between your salary and your take-home pay, with real 2026 dollar examples for both salaried and hourly workers. Covers FICA, pre-tax deductions, variable pay, and how to verify your own paycheck math.
Getting your first job at 16 or 17 is exciting — until HR hands you a W-4 and you have no idea what to write. This plain-English guide walks through every step of the 2026 W-4 for teenagers, explains whether you should claim exempt, who signs it, how much your paycheck will be taxed, and what parents need to know before their teen submits the form.