this post was submitted on 07 Oct 2025
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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Why do you think I need "exempt status" to achieve zero withholding in a particular year?
Because the IRS says so? Did you not read the quoted passage?
Tell me: What is the correct withholding for an individual who claims dependent credits (line 3) and/or deductions (line 4(b)) equal or greater than they expect in total income?
The math says that number is zero. Any number other than "zero" is not the correct withholding. There is no legal or mathematical justification for any other number: The correct withholding is "zero".
The confusion arises from what "exempt status" actually means. If you read the instructions on the W4, you'll find that what it actually means is that you are not disclosing your dependent credits and deductions via W4. You complete only steps 1(a) (your Name); 1(b) (your social security number) and 5 (signature and date). You write "exempt" under line 4(c) and provide no further information. You are not informing your employer or the IRS why there should be zero withholding; you are only informing them that you are exempt from withholding.
In this hypothetical, I'm not claiming exempt status. I don't qualify to claim it, because I had a tax liability last year. That does not mean that some entirely arbitrary amount of money must be withheld for taxes I don't actually owe. It means that I must actually disclose that I intend to claim credits and deductions exceeding my total income.
From the W4 instructions: