W-4 for Your First Job

Updated for 2025–2026 · Educational guidance, not tax advice

Your new boss just handed you a W-4 and you have no idea what to write. Here is the five-minute version, written for people who have never filled out a tax form.

Want the easy button? Our free W-4 Tool asks the same questions this guide does, but fills in the answers for you.

What the W-4 actually does

The W-4 is the form your employer uses to figure out how much federal tax to hold back from each paycheck. That money gets sent to the IRS for you. At the end of the year you file a tax return, and the IRS either:

Gives you money back if too much was withheld (a refund), or
Asks you for money if not enough was withheld (a tax bill)

Your goal with the W-4 is to get the withholding roughly right — so the refund or bill at the end of the year is small.

The two questions that matter for your first job

1. Will anyone claim you as a dependent?

If you are under 19 (or under 24 and a full-time student), living with your parents, and they support more than half your expenses — they probably claim you as a dependent. Ask them if you are not sure.

This matters because it limits whether you can claim "exempt" (see below).

2. How much will you earn this year from this job?

Take your hourly rate × expected hours per week × number of weeks you will work. That is your expected annual income.

If that number is under about $15,000, you probably will not owe any federal income tax on it — the standard deduction will wipe it out.

Three common first-job situations

Situation A: Summer job / part-time while in school

You are a student working part-time, earning under $15,000 for the year, and your parents claim you.

Likely answer: You may qualify to write "Exempt" on the W-4, but only if you had no tax liability last year AND expect none this year. When claimed as a dependent, the income rules are stricter.

Safest approach: Do not claim exempt — just fill out Step 1 (Single) and sign Step 5. Leave everything else blank. Any tax that gets withheld comes back as a refund.

Situation B: First full-time job after school

You just graduated and are starting your first real job. No kids, not married, no second job.

What to write:

Step 1: Name, address, SSN, check "Single or Married filing separately"
Steps 2, 3, 4: Leave all blank
Step 5: Sign and date

This gives you balanced withholding — no big refund, no big bill.

Situation C: Side hustle or tipped job on top of main job

If you also work as a delivery driver, freelancer, or tipped employee, you may need to withhold more. Check Step 2 in the W-4 and use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.

"Should I claim 0 or 1?" for my first job

You have probably heard this question from a parent or coworker. Here is the honest answer: the new W-4 does not use 0 or 1 anymore.

If someone told you to "claim 0" — leave Step 3 blank and add $20 per paycheck in Step 4(c) to replicate it. You will get a bigger refund.
If someone told you to "claim 1" — leave the whole form blank except Step 1 and Step 5. Balanced withholding.

Full 0 vs 1 explanation »

What "Exempt" means (and when to use it)

Writing "Exempt" means zero federal income tax will be withheld from your paychecks. You can only do this if:

You owed no federal income tax last year, AND
You expect to owe no federal income tax this year

If this is your very first job, you had no tax liability last year (no income to tax), so rule 1 is easy. Rule 2 depends on how much you will earn this year.

If you are claimed as a dependent, your "no tax liability" threshold is different — and lower. When in doubt, do not claim exempt. Full exempt rules »

Other things you will probably fill out on your first day

Form I-9: Proves you are legally allowed to work in the US. Bring a passport or driver's license + Social Security card.
State W-4 (if your state has income tax): Most states have their own version. Your employer will provide it.
Direct deposit form: Routing and account number for your bank.
Benefits enrollment: If your job offers health insurance or 401(k), there will be paperwork.

What NOT to do: Do not claim exempt if you expect to earn over $15,000 this year and you are not a dependent. You will owe tax, and you may face penalties for under-withholding.

Want the quick answer?

For most first jobs, this works:

Step 1: Name, address, SSN, check "Single"
Leave everything else blank
Step 5: Sign and date

That is it. You can always submit a new W-4 later if your situation changes.