This week’s question comes from Will, a restaurant owner. We’ve hired several students to work for us this summer. Most of them don’t expect to owe any income tax this year. How do students claim exemption from income tax withholding? Answer: Students or others who expect to owe no tax for 2009 should review the conditions on line 7 of Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate or the Spanish W-4, Formulario W-4(SP), Certificado de Exención de la Retención del Empleado. Employees who meet both conditions should write “Exempt” (or “Exento”) on line 7 and file the form with their employer. The employer should not withhold any federal income tax from these employees for the rest of 2009. Employees who wish to continue their exempt status in 2010 must a complete and provide to their employer a 2010 Form W-4 before February 16, 2010. These employees may also wish to file a state equivalent form to claim exemption from state withholding as well. The filing of Form W-4 claiming exempt status does not stop social security or Medicare withholding or the requirement that the employer match these withholdings. These taxes, sometimes known as FICA or OASDI, have their own rules for determining exemption which are much less likely to apply. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on employees claiming exempt status.