How Is Salary Calculated and Paid in the US?
Most employers deduct approximate payroll and income taxes from employee paychecks.
Payroll taxes include contributions to Social Security and Medicare, while income tax is withheld according to the W-4 form
supplied by the employee.
For the 2025 tax year, you must file a return if you're single and earning more than $15,000, or married and jointly
filing more than $30,000.
In other words, the Internal Revenue System (IRS), which is the tax authority in the United States, has a pretty good idea about
what you owe in taxes.
But, come tax day, you still have to file a return, factoring in personal circumstances and claiming deductions.
Then, the IRS decides if they've withheld too much of your income in tax, earning a refund, or too little, requiring additional
payments.