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Laabri

5.5 Exploration of a W-2 Form and Starting Your Taxes Due (2/1/23)

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Last updated over 1 year ago
32 Nsɛmmisa

Day 1 1/30/23

FINE PRINT: W-2 Form

In this activity, you will explore a W-2 Form in more detail to understand its various components. Then, you will answer questions using the sample W-2 Form below.

Part I: Read The Fine Print

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Day 2 1/31/23

Do I Need to File a Tax Return?

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Day 3 2/1/23

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to

  • Distinguish between common IRS forms and determine when and how each form is used in the tax cycle

  • Carefully read the details of a W-2 form

  • Understand the factors that determine whether or not someone has to file a tax return

  • Explain what a dependent is and establish if they can be claimed as a dependent by someone else on their tax return

  • Determine whether someone has to file a tax return based on their specific situation

What's a W-2 Form?

While you are given a blank W-4 and must complete it yourself, the W-2 form is provided TO you with all information already completed. Watch this video to learn more

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1.

All of the following people should receive W-2 Forms EXCEPT…

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4.

This form will be sent to Lily by the end of January. She will use this W-2 form to...

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5.

As Lily is completing her 1040 form, what piece of information will she find on a different document rather than on this W-2?

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6.

All of the following employee information is included on a W-2 form EXCEPT...

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7.

What were Lily’s gross wages for this period?

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8.

Based on the W-2 form provided, what was the largest withholding? (What is the largest deduction?)

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9.

As Lily files her taxes, she learns that her federal total tax due ends up being $190. According to her Federal income tax withheld, how much of a tax refund can she expect back?

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10.

Based on the W-2 provided, the Social Security tax withheld for Lily was % of her wages, and the Medicare tax withheld was % of her wages.

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11.

Based on the W-2 provided, Lily paid Indiana a state income tax rate of ...

Remember that percentages are calculated by:

so for this problem:

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12.

What is the purpose of a W-2 form?

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13.

If you made the rules, how much money do you think someone should make before they have to pay income taxes? Explain your reasoning.

2 Reasons to File Taxes Even if You Don’t Have To

How do you know if you have to file a tax return? Watch this video to learn about the factors that determine if you have to file. Then, answer the questions.

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14.

The four requirements used to determine if you have to file a tax return are listed below.

Fill out the information for yourself next to each requirement if you know it. If you don’t know it, write “need more information”.

Age:

Filing Status:

Dependency status (Can someone claim you as a dependent on their tax return?):

Annual Gross Income:

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15.

Why might it be beneficial to file a tax return even if you don’t meet the requirements to file?

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16.

True or False: The federal government will reach out to you if you are owed a refund.

Tax Guide: Dependents

In the previous video, you found out that your dependency status impacts how you file a tax return. Read this article and stop once you’ve finished reading the Are there special rules for claiming a child as a dependent? section. Then, answer the questions.

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17.

In your own words, explain what a dependent is.

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18.

Can someone else claim YOU as a dependent?

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19.

Jesse is a full-time college student and is 20 years old. Can he be claimed as a dependent? Explain.

Reference: Earned vs. Unearned Income

Most people don’t know that there are actually two types of income - earned and unearned - and each is taxed differently! Review this reference slide then answer the questions.

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20.

In your own words, explain what the main differences are between earned and unearned income.

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21.

Do YOU currently have earned or unearned income? Where do you get this money from?

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22.

What types of earned and unearned income do you think you’ll have in 10 years?

Reference: Updated Tax Figures

Let’s learn more about what the income requirements are to file a tax return. Read through this slide that breaks the income requirements down based on your dependency status, filing status, and age.

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23.

Using these requirements, do you need to file a tax return this year? Why or why not?

Reference: Do I Need to File a Return?

As a teen, filing a tax return can be a mostly straight-forward process. However, you may be wondering how that process changes if someone claims you as a dependent or if you are a self-employed worker or household employee. Read through this reference to learn more about what to do in these scenarios. Then, answer the questions.

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24.

Which of the following people is/are legally required to file a tax return?

Amanda, who can be claimed as a dependent and earned $850 last year.

Greg, who can be claimed as a dependent and earned $13,200 last year.

Jason, who cannot be claimed as a dependent and earned $1,500 last year.

Erin, who cannot be claimed as a dependent and earned $14,000 last year.

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25.

The article mentions that if you are owed a refund from the IRS, you won’t be penalized if you file your tax return late.

However, why might you want to file your tax return on time?

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26.

When filling out a W-4 form, in what situation would a teen want to claim exemption from federal income taxes being withheld from their paycheck? What is the benefit of doing so?

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Exit Ticket: Should They Follow a Tax Return?

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28.

Tim is 16 years old, a high school student, and lives with his parents. He earned $5,200 at his part-time job.

Can this person be claimed as a dependent?

Is this person legally required to file a tax return? Why or why not?

Should they file a tax return? Explain your reasoning.

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29.

Jessica is 24 years old and lives in her own apartment. She earned $48,000 from her salaried position last year.

Can this person be claimed as a dependent?

Is this person legally required to file a tax return? Why or why not?

Should they file a tax return? Explain your reasoning.

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2.

In which box on your W-2 can you find your...

A) Wages and Income

B) Taxes Withheld?

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3.

When should you receive your W-2 form from your employer?

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27.

What is the income threshold for self-employed workers to file a return?

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30.

Mason is 17 years old, a junior in high school, and lives with his parents. He had unearned income of $750.

Can this person be claimed as a dependent?

Is this person legally required to file a tax return? Why or why not?

Should they file a tax return? Explain your reasoning.

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31.

Kathryn is 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, and lives with her parents. She had $200 in unearned income and earned $1,200 from her part-time job.

Can this person be claimed as a dependent?

Is this person legally required to file a tax return? Why or why not?

Should they file a tax return? Explain your reasoning.

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32.

Yanely is 18 years old, is a high school senior, and lives with her parents. She earned $6,300 from her part-time job. She claimed EXEMPT on her W-4 on her first day of work.

Can this person be claimed as a dependent?

Is this person legally required to file a tax return? Why or why not?

Should they file a tax return? Explain your reasoning.