I Got My First Job — A Zero-Jargon Tax Guide
W-2s, withholding, standard deduction, filing deadline — everything you need to know about taxes when you start working.
Your employer handles most of it
When you start a job, you fill out a W-4 form. This tells your employer how much federal tax to withhold from each paycheck. They send that money to the IRS on your behalf throughout the year. At the end of January, you'll get a W-2 form showing how much you earned and how much was withheld. That's the main document you need to file your taxes.
Source: IRS Publication 505 — Tax Withholding
The deadline is April 15
Your federal tax return for the prior year is due April 15. For example, your 2025 tax return is due April 15, 2026. If you can't file by then, you can request a 6-month extension (Form 4868) — but the extension only extends the filing deadline, not the payment deadline. If you owe money, it's still due April 15.
Source: IRS Publication 17 — Your Federal Income Tax
You probably get a refund
Most first-time filers get a refund. Why? Because the standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers in 2026) means your first $16,100 of income isn't taxed at all. If your employer withheld taxes as if you'd work the full year but you only worked part of it, you likely overpaid. The IRS sends back the difference.
Source: IRS Publication 501 — Standard Deduction
Free filing options
If your income is under $89,000, you can use IRS Free File through partner companies at no cost. FreeTaxUSA offers free federal filing for everyone regardless of income. Cash App Taxes is completely free. For a first-time filer with just a W-2, any of these works.
Source: IRS.gov/freefile
Have a specific question?
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Ask a Tax Question →This is tax education, not tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation. Information sourced from publicly available IRS publications.