TL;DR
- ✅ Step 1: your details and Single. Step 5: sign it
- ✅ Only job, no other income: leave Steps 2 to 4 blank
- ✅ Low earnings may qualify you to claim exempt, which you renew each February
- ✅ File a return to get back any tax withheld
The short version
Step 1
Name, address, Social Security number. Check “Single or Married filing separately” unless you are married.
Step 2
Skip unless you have two jobs at once, such as a campus job and a summer job.
Step 3
Skip. This is for you claiming your own children, not for being claimed as someone else’s dependent.
Step 4
Skip, unless you have a side gig; see the side-income guide.
Step 5
Sign and date. The form goes to your employer, not the IRS.
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Enter what you expect to earn to see whether you need anything beyond Steps 1 and 5.
Open the W-4 Calculator →Should you claim exempt?
If you owed no federal income tax last year and expect to owe none this year, you may write “Exempt” on the form and have no income tax withheld. For a student working part time, that is plausible: a low enough income can be entirely covered by the standard deduction. Two cautions. First, if someone can claim you as a dependent, your standard deduction is smaller and extra rules apply to your income, so check them before claiming. Second, exempt expires every February and must be renewed, or your employer starts withholding at the default rate. Details in W-4 exempt: who can claim it.
⚠️ Do not claim exempt if you expect to owe
A summer job plus a school-year job can push income past the point where you owe tax. Claiming exempt anyway means a bill in April. If you are not sure, leave the default and file a return to get the extra back.
Getting withheld money back
If your earnings were low, the federal income tax withheld all comes back when you file. Many students do not file because they think they owe nothing, then lose the refund. File a return even if your income is small. Our refund vs. adjusting your W-4 guide explains how to avoid giving the IRS an interest-free loan.
If you have more than one job
Two jobs, even small ones, mean each employer assumes it is your only income. Read how to fill out a W-4 with two jobs. For a short job over the holidays or summer, see the seasonal job W-4 guide, and for the basics of a new employer, the new job W-4 guide and W-4 for single filers.
Frequently asked questions
What do I put on my W-4 for my first job?
Fill in Step 1 with your name, address, Social Security number and Single as your filing status, and sign Step 5. If this is your only job and you have no other income, leave Steps 2, 3 and 4 blank.
Can a college student claim exempt on a W-4?
Sometimes. You can claim exempt only if you owed no federal income tax last year and expect to owe none this year. Students with part-time income below the standard deduction often qualify, but if someone can claim you as a dependent there are extra limits on your income.
Should I write that my parents claim me as a dependent?
There is no line for that on the W-4. Being claimed as a dependent changes your own standard deduction, which is smaller, so the default withholding is usually fine. Do not enter yourself in Step 3.
Do I get my money back if too much was withheld?
Yes, by filing a tax return. If your income is low, the federal income tax withheld is refunded in full, even if you owed nothing. Many students must file just to recover it.
Is Social Security tax withheld on a student job?
Usually yes. Students employed by the college or university they attend may be exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax; ask your payroll office. The W-4 never affects FICA.
Key terms in this article
Related guides
W-4 for Single Filers 2026: What to Put on Each Line
Single with one job? What to enter on each W-4 line, what to leave blank, and when head of household or exempt applies.
W-4 Exempt from Withholding: Who Qualifies and How to Claim It (2026)
Exempt status means zero federal income tax withheld. Here's the two-part IRS test — and why most people fail it without realizing.
W-4 for a Seasonal or Holiday Job: What to Write and Whether to Claim Exempt (2026)
Starting a holiday or seasonal job? What to put on your W-4, when claiming exempt is allowed, and how to avoid a surprise bill if it's your second job.
How to Fill Out a W-4 for a New Job (2026 Step-by-Step)
Starting a new job and staring at a blank W-4? This guide walks you through all 5 steps — including what to do if you have a second job or your spouse works.
W-4 for Nonresident Aliens and Visa Holders (F-1, J-1, H-1B) (2026)
The special W-4 rules for nonresident aliens: single status, NRA, no standard deduction, no exempt, and treaty exemptions.
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