Isn't there a W-2 Form Requirement for Part-time Employees?

[Anonymous]

My kid started working at Mathnasium last year, I've been asking him about his W-2 form but his boss doesn't have it and the other kids who work there say that she doesn't give out W-2 forms because the kids don't make enough money to require it. How is this possible?

[Anonymous]

How is he paid? Are taxes being withheld? Does he get paystubs with the YTD information? The business owner is not following the law, but he can still report his income with a pay stub. Is it possible he's receiving cash? Or that he's being considered an independent contractor?

[Anonymous]

$600 threshold.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2

[Anonymous]

And if he’s an independent contractor there is also a $600 threshold (changing to $2000 for payments in 2026).


https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-misc#:~:text=More%20In%20Forms%20and%20Instructions&text=File%20Form%201099%2DMISC%20for,Any%20fishing%20boat%20proceeds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$600 threshold.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2

Only if the employee is not paying employment taxes and if the employee would have to withhold income tax in the absence of an exemption

[Anonymous]

They probably are doing it under the table. Not ok.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the above. Taxes are being withheld (who knows if that withholding is actually making its way to the IRS). He's not an independent contractor. The paychecks are direct deposit, he has a website with the paystub info, I need to dig into it to see if they have year end totals for 2025. I'm trying to hold back walking in there myself and confronting his boss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the above. Taxes are being withheld (who knows if that withholding is actually making its way to the IRS). He's not an independent contractor. The paychecks are direct deposit, he has a website with the paystub info, I need to dig into it to see if they have year end totals for 2025. I'm trying to hold back walking in there myself and confronting his boss.

If taxes are being withheld he certainly should be getting a w-2. Good opportunity for your kid to exercise some self-advocacy

[Anonymous]

If the website is like ADP, it should show the W-2. FYI, technically you have to opt in to electronic W-2's, which he probably did on the website. Employers are required to offer paper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the above. Taxes are being withheld (who knows if that withholding is actually making its way to the IRS). He's not an independent contractor. The paychecks are direct deposit, he has a website with the paystub info, I need to dig into it to see if they have year end totals for 2025. I'm trying to hold back walking in there myself and confronting his boss.

If taxes are being withheld he certainly should be getting a w-2. Good opportunity for your kid to exercise some self-advocacy

Oh yeah, that has been suggested, but it seems like a company policy.

[Anonymous]

My son is a soccer referee and receives a 1099-NEC that does not withhold taxes. I think he earned around $1000 last year as a referee. I file taxes for him for his 2 jobs ( other job gets a W-2). Since I file his taxes, he has to pay about ~$100 in self employment taxes. Benefit is that I can then match all his earned income into a Roth IRA for that year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the above. Taxes are being withheld (who knows if that withholding is actually making its way to the IRS). He's not an independent contractor. The paychecks are direct deposit, he has a website with the paystub info, I need to dig into it to see if they have year end totals for 2025. I'm trying to hold back walking in there myself and confronting his boss.

If taxes are being withheld he certainly should be getting a w-2. Good opportunity for your kid to exercise some self-advocacy

Oh yeah, that has been suggested, but it seems like a company policy.

If the employer’s answer (not merely second hand rumor) is really “we aren’t giving you one” then I’d probably call the IRS

https://philalegal.org/news/did-your-employer-not-give-you-w2-2022

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the above. Taxes are being withheld (who knows if that withholding is actually making its way to the IRS). He's not an independent contractor. The paychecks are direct deposit, he has a website with the paystub info, I need to dig into it to see if they have year end totals for 2025. I'm trying to hold back walking in there myself and confronting his boss.

The W-2 should be on the website with the paystub info. There should be a "reports" or similar place to click to get them.

[Anonymous]

Question is, why are you doing your kids taxes? He should be doing them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question is, why are you doing your kids taxes? He should be doing them.

Or should he pay H&R Block or some other tax service to do the data entry for him? Most adults don't do their own taxes, I'll go ahead and continue to help my kids until they stop asking.