Companion guide

First job

Age 14 and up, before the first shift

For the week a teen says yes to a job. Read it once, then use the cards at dinner.

Bring on day one

Original, unexpired documents for Form I-9, shown to the employer. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Answers for Form W-4, which sets how much federal income tax comes out of each paycheck. Internal Revenue Service

Ages 14 and 15: up to 3 hours on a school day, 18 in a school week, 8 on a non-school day, 40 in a non-school week. U.S. Department of Labor
Ages 14 and 15: between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or until 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day. U.S. Department of Labor
Ages 16 and 17: no federal limit on hours. State rules can be stricter, and the stricter rule wins. U.S. Department of Labor

Federal minimum wage: $7.25 an hour. Under 20: $4.25 an hour is allowed for the first 90 days with an employer. U.S. Department of Labor
Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% come out of every paycheck. Internal Revenue Service
Cash tips of $20 or more in a month get reported to the employer by the 10th of the next month. Internal Revenue Service

If income tax was withheld, filing a return is how it comes back. Internal Revenue Service
IRS Free File guided software is free for adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less, starting from IRS.gov/freefile. Internal Revenue Service
For 2026, IRA contributions can’t be more than $7,500 or the year’s taxable pay, whichever is less. Internal Revenue Service

Completing Section 2, Employer Review and Attestation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
About Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, Internal Revenue Service. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
Employment Law Guide: Child Labor Protections (Nonagricultural Work), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
Employment Law Guide: Minimum Wage and Overtime Pay, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates, Internal Revenue Service. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
Topic no. 761, Tips: withholding and reporting, Internal Revenue Service. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information, Internal Revenue Service. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
IRS Free File: Do your taxes for free, Internal Revenue Service. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
Retirement topics: IRA contribution limits, Internal Revenue Service. Checked Oct 19, 2026.