First time filer - Do I get all of my federal withholdings back from my W2?

Your federal withholding (Box 2) isn't automatically returned to you - it's basically prepayment on your taxes throughout the year. Whether you get any of it back depends on your total income, filing status, and any deductions or credits you qualify for. For the Social Security and Medicare taxes (Boxes 4 and 6), those aren't refundable - they go directly to fund those programs. Almost everyone pays these at a fixed percentage of their income. The "social security thing" related to your family might be referring to Social Security benefits you received, which can sometimes be taxable depending on your total income. That's definitely something that can complicate a return for a first-time filer. Having a professional help with your first return is actually a smart move! They can explain things as they go, and you'll learn a lot about how taxes work. Plus, they might catch credits or deductions you'd miss on your own.

Hey, I was in the same boat last year! I used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it made everything so much easier. I uploaded my W2 and it explained everything line by line - like exactly what Box 2 means and whether I'd get it back. The site walks you through everything using normal human language instead of confusing tax terms. It even helped me understand that family social security benefit situation you mentioned - my dad was on disability and I had similar complications. The site asked simple questions and figured it all out for me.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai! This was seriously a game changer compared to the other tax sites I tried. I uploaded all my forms (even had those 3 W2s and 1099s) and it broke down exactly how much of my withholdings I'd get back and why. The explanation about social security withholdings vs. refundable taxes made way more sense than anything else I've read. Turns out I was actually eligible for some education credits I had no idea about! Ended up with a much bigger refund than I expected.

If you're still waiting on getting your taxes done this weekend, you might want to call the IRS directly with your questions. Except... good luck with that lol. I spent THREE HOURS on hold last month trying to sort out a similar withholding question. Eventually I found https://claimyr.com and watched their demo (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). They basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an actual human agent is on the line. Saved me literally hours of waiting on hold playing that terrible music. The IRS agent explained exactly how withholdings work and what I could expect back based on my income level. Way better than trying to Google everything.

I've gotta admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try it because I had a serious issue with my withholding calculations. Got a call back in about 40 minutes with an actual IRS person on the line! She walked me through exactly how the withholding system works with my W2 and explained that Box 2 isn't actually "your money" that you automatically get back - it's payment toward your tax obligation. Saved me from making a big mistake on my return and potentially getting audited. Definitely better than waiting for your tax appointment if you have urgent questions.

Just to clarify something important - whether you get all your federal withholding back really depends on several factors: - Your total income for the year - Your filing status (single, head of household, etc) - Deductions you qualify for - Tax credits you're eligible for At $24k income as a first-time filer, you'll likely get a good portion back, but probably not all of it. Social Security and Medicare withholdings (FICA taxes) are almost never refundable - those absolutely go to fund those programs.

When I started working after HS, I thought the same thing! I was shocked when I learned the difference between refundable and non-refundable taxes. Just to make it super clear: - Federal income tax withholding (Box 2): This CAN be refunded if you overpaid - Social Security/Medicare taxes: These are NEVER refunded (except in very rare circumstances) Don't feel bad for being confused. The tax system is complicated and they don't teach this stuff in school!

Hey Sydney! I was in a very similar situation when I first started working - the whole tax thing felt like learning a foreign language! You're absolutely right to get professional help for your first return. Just wanted to add that since you mentioned being confused about the social security benefit stuff - if anyone in your family receives Social Security disability or retirement benefits, and you're claimed as a dependent on their return (or they receive benefits partially based on your record), it can definitely complicate things. The tax software probably flagged this because it affects how your taxes are calculated. The good news is that at your income level, you'll likely qualify for some nice credits that could boost your refund beyond just getting back overpaid withholdings. Things like the Earned Income Tax Credit can be really helpful for young workers just starting out. When you meet with the tax professional this weekend, don't hesitate to ask them to explain everything step by step. A good tax preparer should be happy to educate you about how it all works - you're paying them, after all! Understanding your first return will make future years much less intimidating.

Sydney, you're asking exactly the right questions! As someone who also went through this confusion as a first-time filer, I can tell you that getting professional help was the best decision I made. Just to add to what others have shared - at your income level around $24k, you'll definitely owe some federal income tax on the amount above the standard deduction (which is $13,850 for 2023), but there's a good chance you'll still get a decent refund if your employer withheld at a conservative rate. Many employers err on the side of withholding too much rather than too little, especially for new employees. The social security benefits complication you mentioned is actually pretty common - it can happen if you're listed as a dependent on a family member's return who receives benefits, or if there are other family situations involving SS income. The tax professional will sort that out easily. One tip for your appointment this weekend: bring all your tax documents (W-2, any 1099s, receipts for expenses like student loan interest if you have any) and don't be afraid to ask them to walk you through each step. Understanding your first return will make you much more confident about taxes going forward. Good luck!

Hey Sydney! I totally understand the confusion - I remember feeling completely overwhelmed during my first tax season too. You're definitely making the smart choice by getting professional help! One thing that might help ease your mind: at your income level of around $24k, you're very likely to get a refund rather than owe money. Most employers withhold federal taxes pretty conservatively, especially for newer employees, so there's a good chance they took out more than you'll actually owe. Just to clarify what others have mentioned - the federal withholding in Box 2 is like a prepayment toward your tax bill. If they withheld more than your actual tax liability (which often happens), you get the difference back. The Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) don't come back, but those are separate from your income tax refund calculation. That appointment this weekend sounds perfect! The tax professional will be able to sort out that family Social Security situation quickly - it's probably just asking whether anyone in your household receives SS benefits, which can affect certain credits you might qualify for. Don't worry, it's more common than you'd think and definitely not something to stress about. Good luck with your appointment!

Sydney, don't feel overwhelmed - we've all been there! Your questions about Box 2 and Social Security withholdings are exactly what everyone wonders about on their first tax return. Here's the simple breakdown: Your federal withholding (Box 2) isn't automatically yours - it's money your employer sent to the IRS throughout the year as estimated payment for your taxes. Whether you get it back depends on your actual tax calculation. With your $24k income, you'll likely get a good chunk back since employers often withhold conservatively for new workers. The Social Security and Medicare taxes (usually around 7.65% of your pay) don't come back - those fund the programs you'll benefit from later in life. Getting professional help for your first return is absolutely the right call! They'll handle that family Social Security situation easily and make sure you don't miss any credits you qualify for. Plus, watching them do your first return is like getting a masterclass in how taxes actually work. One tip for your appointment: ask them to show you the math on how your withholding compares to your actual tax liability. Understanding that relationship will make future years so much clearer. You've got this!

Sydney, you're asking all the right questions! As someone who remembers being completely lost during my first tax season, I can tell you that your confusion is totally normal and you're being smart by getting professional help. To add to what others have shared - that "social security benefit stuff" the tax software asked about is probably just checking if anyone in your household receives Social Security benefits (disability, retirement, etc.) or if you might be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return. It's a routine question that affects certain credits and deductions, but it sounds way more complicated than it actually is. At your income level around $24k, you're in a pretty good spot. You'll owe some federal tax on the amount over the standard deduction (about $10k of your income), but if your employer withheld conservatively - which they often do for new employees - you could still see a nice refund. Plus, you might qualify for credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit that could boost your refund even more. Your weekend appointment is going to be so helpful! Make sure to ask them to walk you through each step so you understand what's happening with your return. Understanding your first tax return will make future years feel much less intimidating. You've got this!

Sydney, you're definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by taxes! I remember my first year filing - I stared at my W-2 for like 20 minutes trying to figure out what all the boxes meant. Just to add another perspective on your $24k income situation: you mentioned working your first full-time job after high school, so you might also want to ask your tax professional about education credits if you took any college courses or vocational training. Things like the American Opportunity Tax Credit can be pretty valuable for people in your situation and age range. Also, since you're just starting out in the workforce, this might be a good time to think about your withholding going forward. If you do get a big refund this year, you could potentially adjust your W-4 with your employer to have less taken out of each paycheck and get more money throughout the year instead of waiting for a big refund. Your tax professional can explain how that works too. The appointment this weekend sounds perfect - don't feel bad about needing help! Even people who've been filing for years sometimes need professional assistance when their situation changes. You're being responsible by making sure it's done right the first time.

Hey Sydney! Just wanted to add my experience as someone who was in your exact shoes a few years ago. The confusion you're feeling is so normal - I remember calling my mom in tears because I thought I had messed up my taxes somehow! One thing that really helped me understand the system: think of your federal withholding (Box 2) like a security deposit. Your employer took that money out of your paychecks all year and sent it to the IRS as an estimate of what you'd owe. At tax time, you calculate your actual tax bill. If the "deposit" was bigger than what you actually owe, you get the difference back. If it was less, you pay the difference. With your $24k income, you'll definitely owe some tax, but probably way less than what was withheld. First-time filers often get pleasant surprises because employers tend to be conservative with withholding. The Social Security stuff (FICA) is completely separate - that's like paying into a retirement/disability insurance program that you'll benefit from later. That money never comes back as a refund, but it's building credits for your future benefits. Your weekend appointment is going to clear everything up! Don't be shy about asking lots of questions - that's literally what you're paying them for. Good luck!