When paid minimum wage shouldn't federal and state tax be taken out of your gross pay?

Answer 1

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Well yes, but it is highly likely, after determining how much your earnings are going to be, especially with credits and other things that may apply, you wouldn't have any needed to be withheld as you won't have any to pay. (although things like FICA, unemployment ins, etc. still should be taken out of your gross paycheck).

The amount one pays as income tax depends on their TAXABLE income. It is a percentage of that income. The exact percentage used depends on the level of that income. Taxable income depnds on many things: Earnings from employment for sure, earnings from other sources (investments, government payments, etc.), and even then certain items of each may be not included, or things you may not receive in cash may be included. For example - the contribution to a 401k is not taxable income, even though it is part of your salary. On the other hand, certain benefits you may receive, like employer paid life insurance, car allowances, even access to a cafeteria that has reduced prices because of an employer supporting it), may result in taxable income to you. Once the amount of taxable income is determined, then the deductions to that income are applied. For example, interest paid on the mortgage for your home, number of dependent children, number of other qualifying dependents, medical costs, certain expenses of making that income, state taxes paid, etc.). Hence, any 2 people, holding the exact same job at the exact same salary and benefits, may well have 2 entirely different tax amounts due. Once the amount of taxable income is determined, looking at the tax rate charts (made by filing status, for example single filer verses married filing jointly), for that income determines how much one actually must pay.