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Required Work Forms

The government requires employees to complete a number of forms. If you are under the age of 16, some forms are required to obtain the documents you need to hold a job, such as a social secu­rity card and work permit. Other forms, such as the W-4, you will complete when you begin work. Still others, such as the W-2, your employer must fill out for you. You should be familiar with these forms because you may need to make corrections or changes from time to time, and because you will use the information on some of these forms for filing income taxes.

Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate

When you report to work, you will be asked to fill out a Form W-4, like the one shown in Figure 5-1 (page 106). The information you put on this form determines the amount your employer will with-hold from your paycheck for income taxes. The employer sends this money to the government as partial payment of your income taxes.

The form supplies a simple worksheet to help you calculate your allowances. Allowances are a number that reduces the amount of tax withheld from your paycheck. The more allowances you claim, the less tax you will have withheld. However, claiming more allowances does not decrease the tax you will eventually owe. It only decreases the tax payments your employer makes for you from your paycheck during the year. If you have too little withheld, you will have a huge tax bill to pay at the end of the

year.

If you qualify, you may claim exempt status. This status applies only to people who will not earn enough that year to owe

any federal income tax. Line 7 of the form in Figure 5-1 shows the requirements to qualify. If you qualify, simply write the word exempt on Form W-4, as Marisa Clark has done in the figure. Then no money will be withheld from your paycheck for federal income taxes. The maximum amount of earnings necessary to qualify varies annually.

Social Security Forms

Because all workers in the United States must pay a social security tax from wages earned, all must have a social security number. Your social security number is your permanent work identifica­tion number. While you are working, your employers withhold social security taxes from your pay and contribute matching amounts. The amounts you earn and the amounts contributed for social security throughout your work life are credited by the Social Security Administration to your account under your assignednumber. When you become eligible, usually at retirement, benefits are paid to you monthly, based upon how much you have paid into your account.

Figure 5-2 (page 108) is an application for a social security num­ber. Children at least one year old must have a social security number if they are to be claimed as dependents on a tax return filed by a parent or guardian. If you don't already have a number and a card, or if you have misplaced your card, you may get it replaced without charge. You can find the social security card application and instructions for completing it online at www.ssa.gov/replace_sscard.html. You can download the application form, complete it, and submit it in person or send it to the Social Security Administration. This agency will assign you one social security number for your lifetime and will issue you a card bearing the nine-digit number.

Every few years, you should check to see  that your earnings have been properly credited to your account. The Social Security Administration provides a card for you to complete for this purpose (see Figure 5-3 on page 109). Or, you can request a statement online by going to the Social Security Administration site at

www.ssa.gov. Then follow the

links to request a statement. Within 30 days you should receive a report that has your income according to the Social Security Administration's records. There is no charge for this service. If you find any discrepancies, report them immediately.

Work Permit Application

Federal and some state laws require minors—people under the age of legal adulthood—to obtain a work permit before they are allowed to work. The work permit is signed by the parents or legal guardian of people under age 16. You can obtain an application for a work permit from the Department of Labor, a school counseling center, or work experience coordinator. There is usually no charge for obtaining the form, but you will have to provide your social security number and proof of age, and have your parent or legal guardian sign. Additional information may be required in some states. Figure 5-4 is an example of a work permit application. Pro­cessing of the work permit application takes three to six weeks, so early application is advisable.

Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement

Each company for which you worked during the year will give you a Form W-2, like the one shown in Figure 5-5 on page 112. This form is a summary of the income you earned that year and all amounts the employer withheld for taxes. These amounts include federal, state, and local income taxes, and social security tax. Com­pare your W-2 to your paycheck stubs to be sure that the reported amounts are accurate. Your employer will also send a copy of your Form W-2 to the government.

The employer must provide you with a Form W-2 no later than January 31 of the year following the one in which you were employed. This is true even if you worked only part of the year and were not working as of December 31. If you do not receive a W-2 from each employer you worked for during the year, contact the employer to get the W-2. You must file your W-2 forms with your tax return.

Records processing workers maintain, update, and process a variety of records, such as payrolls or bank statements. Their duties usually vary with the size of the firm. The growing use of computers and financial software has enabled records clerks to become more productive, while still interacting with co-workers and customers. Employers typically require applicants to have at least a high school diploma. On-the-job train­ing is necessary to learn company procedures.

For more information, refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www,bls.gov or search the Internet using such key words as "careers," "jobs," and "records management."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working Papers  -  Facts for Teenagers under 18


An employment certificate, often referred to as "working papers", is required for minors under 18 before they may begin work. High school graduates, minors who work for their parents, and minors who do industrial homework are included in this group.

Types of Working Papers:

Student Non Factory Employment Certificate - The Student Non-Factory Employment Certificate, known as AT-18 (blue paper), is issued to minors ages 14 and 15 who plan to work at permitted occupations during vacations of after school hours. The certificate is not valid for work in factory workrooms or work involving use of prohibited machinery or chemical processes, or cleaning, oiling, wiping, or adjusting belts to machinery.


Student General Employment Certificate - The Student General Employment Certificate, known as AT-19 (green paper), is issued to minors ages 16 and 17 who attend school and plan to work during vacations or after school hours. It is valid for work in a factory and other trade, business, or service. However, this certificate is not valid for hazardous employment such as operating certain machines, doing construction work, or for work as a helper on a motor vehicle, or cleaning, oiling, wiping, or adjusting belts to machinery.


Full-Time Employment Certificate - The Full-Time Employment Certificate, known as AT-20 (salmon paper), is issued to minors ages 16 and 17 who are not attending school or who are leaving school for full-time employment. It is valid for factory or other types of work. It is not valid for hazardous employment such as operating certain power-driven machines, doing construction work, or for work as a helper on a motor vehicle or cleaning, oiling, wiping, or adjusting belts to machinery.

 


Special Occupation Permits:

 

Farm Work Permit - The Farm Work Permit, known as AT-25 (white paper), is for minors ages 12 and 13. It allows them to work in the hand harvest of berries, fruits, and vegetables. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or give the employer written consent from them. For minors ages 14 and 15, the Farm Work Permit is called an AT-24 (yellow paper). It allows the minors to work before and after school, on week-ends and during vacations. The permits are not valid for work in or in connection with a factory or cannery. The minors may use both permits for any farmer-employer, but each farmer must sign the permit.


Newspaper Carrier Permit - Newspaper Carrier Permits, also known as AT-23 (buff paper), are for minors ages 11 to 18 who deliver, or sell and deliver, newspapers, shopping papers, or periodicals to homes or places of business. The minors must carry the permit while working.


Street Trades Permit - Street Trades Permits, also known as AT-26 (ivory paper), are for self-employed minors ages 14 to 18 who sell newspapers or periodicals in the street or public places or who work as shoeshines.


Child Model Permit - Child Model Permits, also known as AT-12 (green booklet), are issued for the employment of child models under 18 years of age.

 

NOTE: A minor must give their employment certificate to the employer when they begin employment. When a minor leaves employment, the employer must return the employment certificate to the minor.

 

How to Obtain Working Papers

To Obtain Working Papers You must first... Get information and an application form from your school office. If you are not attending school or if you apply during vacation periods, obtain the address of the certificating office from the school nearest your home. Then...Complete the application form which requires:

For youths to obtain a full-time employment certificate, their parent or guardian must appear in person before the school authorities to give consent. High school graduates can present written consent. In addition, youths must provide proof of age, a certificate of physical fitness, and a schooling record. In New York City and Buffalo, a 16 year-old minor who is leaving school must have a pledge of employment signed by the prospective employer and a "Job Description" that shows a daily and weekly schedule and details the work to be