withholding tax
Definition of withholding tax
: a deduction (as from wages, fees, or dividends) levied at a source of income as advance payment on income tax
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First Known Use of withholding tax
1940
Financial Definition of WITHHOLDING TAX
withholding tax
What It Is
Withholding tax is an amount that employers withhold from an employee's paycheck and remit to local and federal taxing authorities on behalf of the employee.
How It Works
For example, let's say John Doe's salary is $24,000 a year. Though he makes $2,000 a month, he only brings home, say, $1,800 because his employer takes $200 out of his paycheck and remits it to the state and the federal government on his behalf. The payments go toward John Doe's federal income tax, state income tax, unemployment, and Medicare liabilities.
The amount of withholding is influenced by what John Doe puts on his IRS Form W-4 ("Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate"), which he provides to the employer and on which he indicates how many dependents he has and his marital status, among other things. A copy goes directly to the IRS. Generally, the more allowances the employee claims on a Form W-4, the lower the withholding tax.
Withholding tax applies to income earned through wages, pensions, bonuses, commissions, and gambling winnings. Dividends and capital gains, for example, are not subject to withholding tax. Self-employed people generally don't pay withholding taxes; they typically make quarterly estimated payments instead.
Why It Matters
Withholding tax prevents people from being blindsided by huge tax bills on April 15. By having their employers remit a little out of each paycheck, federal and local governments also ensure steady cash flow throughout the year and reduce the risk that taxpayers will be unable to pay their taxes. A person's tax liability may still be more or less than what he or she pays in withholding taxes in a year. In those cases, the taxpayer may have to pay more money on April 15 or may receive a tax refund. It is important to note that accuracy in payroll is crucial; any mistakes in remitting withholding tax are generally the taxpayer's problem even if they are the employer's fault.
WITHHOLDING TAX Defined for English Language Learners
withholding tax
Definition of withholding tax for English Language Learners
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: money that is taken from a person's pay and given directly to the government as income tax
Law Dictionary
withholding tax
Legal Definition of withholding tax
: a deduction (as from wages, fees, or dividends) levied at a source of income as advance payment on income tax
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