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05/28/2009
Joe
Trinity, Washington, Pa
I think that summer jobs are a good and positive thing. I was surprised by the amount of money the government took form my pay, and minimum wage affected how much i was paid. I have worked at a summer job and it has made me a more diligent worker.
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05/01/2009
Domenique
Trinity High School, Washington, PA
Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been applying to local jobs like a fiend, and no one is hiring. Is this due to the increased minimum wage? The recession? I'm sure it's a combination of the two. Whatever the cause, the effect is no jobs for students, and that makes it very difficult for us - as students - to stimulate the economy. It's just going to turn into a vicious cycle, and we'll end up in a depression once again.
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02/18/2009
Dillan
Corry HS, Corry, PA
I am in my junior year of high school, I’m 16 years old and have a summer/ after school job. I work at a grocery store and work about 20 hours a week during school and 35 during the summer, bringing in a pay check every two weeks. Unlike many of the other comments I was expecting worse when I opened my first paycheck. Although a portion of my pay was taken, I understand that the money is being used for the good. I drive and if the government is using my money to keep roads fixed and things like that then at least it’s for something good that I would appreciate. In addition, I recently received my W2’s in which I got back a good portion of what was taken out. And since the first minimum wage was set by the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 it has been raised to 7.15 an hour. After my taxes are taken out, I have plenty left to make car payments, pay for gas and insurance, and have money left to spend on personal needs. Overall, I think that taking taxes out benefits everyone, and at the end of the year, a lot of it is given back to us, if we file for it.
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02/18/2009
Heather
Corry High , Corry Pa
Last summer, I worked for my uncle’s antique store and it was pretty rewarding. The pay was “under the table” so I never noticed how much money the government took out of someone’s pay, until I quit and started working at Dairy Queen. I was so excited for my first check. I had over 40 hours and I was pumped to go shopping. But, boy was I bummed when I got the check. I had calculated up how much I was supposed to get paid but I was missing over 40 dollars. It really stinks to look at how much you are supposed to get and then see what you really received. But, the good thing is we ARE chipping in. With the money that the government takes from us, we are repairing the decaying infrastructure and helping the government stay up. This is how teens are helping the “big guy” out. It really shows that we are apart of the community. It proves that the government needs are help just as much as others may need theirs.
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02/18/2009
Heather
Corry High , Corry Pa
Last summer, I worked for my uncle’s antique store and it was pretty rewarding. The pay was “under the table” so I never noticed how much money the government took out of someone’s pay, until I quit and started working at Dairy Queen. I was so excited for my first check. I had over 40 hours and I was pumped to go shopping. But, boy was I bummed when I got the check. I had calculated up how much I was supposed to get paid but I was missing over 40 dollars. It really stinks to look at how much you are supposed to get and then see what you really received. But, the good thing is we ARE chipping in. With the money that the government takes from us, we are repairing the decaying infrastructure and helping the government stay up. This is how teens are helping the “big guy” out. It really shows that we are apart of the community. It proves that the government needs are help just as much as others may need theirs.
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10/03/2008
Allie
Trinity High School, Washington
This summer I got my first job at my Dad's law firm. I only worked three days a week just for something to keep me busy. It is very disappointing to see your paycheck and then see how much is taken out of it. While I understand that the money is being given to the government and eventually does come back to us in some way shape or form, I do not believe that people under 18 years of age need to be taxed. We are not considered legal and are still under the jurisdiction of our parents. The taxes that come from our parents' paychecks are sufficient enough for our 'contribution' to the government. Until teenagers become 18 there is no reason for taxes to be taken out of their paychecks.
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04/03/2008
Rachel B.
PHS-D / Portland / CT
I am a part time worker, having a summer/ after school job, and recently getting my first pay check. I was surprised to see how much was actually taken from my check. I believe it is wrong to take from students job checks. people say it is to support the economy and the government, and increase funds that i will get when im older and retired. Well as far as i can tell the economy is going down hill, a great example is health care. By the time my generation is in retirement the government will be cutting back on retiremnet funds leaving people with little or no money. Because we wil not recieve the money we have lost i believe it is wrong for money to be taken from our checks!
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01/09/2008
Akeem
Lamberton, Philadelphia, PA
It is very stressful knowing that you have to work for a small amount of money and when your check comes you find out that you have a large amount of money taken from it. It hurts your pockets. Now you can't buy anything and you most keep saving yours checks. That's why you have to go to college and get your degree and you can now get a salary.
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11/01/2007
Sam S.
Trinity High School, Washington, PA
As a student with a part-time job myself, I too become discouraged with the amount of money that has been removed from my paychecks due to taxes. While prior to my job experience I was aware of the heavy taxes everyone must deal with, it was still a shock to receive my first paycheck. I do, however, understand that taxes are necessary to fund a working government and community.
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11/01/2007
Zak C.
Trinity High School, Washington, PA
The taxes taken out of your paycheck do seem like a lot. Many teenagers seek jobs that pay under the table such as mowing grass so they can avoid taxes.
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10/29/2007
Larry
Trinity High School, Washington, PA
You should be aware of the taxes that will be deducted from your check before you start your job.
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10/29/2007
Alycia
Trinity High School, Washington, PA
I have a job and when my paycheck comes in its not very much.i get paid every two weeks and I feel I should be getting paid a little more then what I am. I actually wish minimum wage was a little higher so I'd have a little more money in my pocket.
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10/29/2007
Jordan
Trinity High School, Washington PA
I am in my senior year of high school and experienced my first job this past summer working in a department store. I still hold that position during the school year and it is working out well. My parents warned me about the large
amount taken out in taxes before I received my first paycheck. It ended up being far greater than I anticipated. The minimum wage increase made me angry because I was making more than minimum wage, but now the two are on almost an even plane. Some businesses in my area were be affected by the increase, but only those that employ people at the minimum wage salary and they can to be inconvenienced. My job has helped me learn valuable life lessons that can be used every day. I have developed a good work ethic and learned how to deal with the public in a civil and polite manner.
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10/25/2007
Derrick R.
Lamberton High School, Philadelphia, PA
I think that getting a summer job is good for you but this summer I couldn't get a summer job to save my life. It is as if I never sent in an application at all. Nobody gave me a chance.
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10/09/2007
Michelle S.267
Central High/Philadelphia
I would still get a summer job even if there are a lot of taxes taken out. At my age I do not have anything that I need to pay so the money would go to whatever I wanted it to. I think that its unfair that there are so many taxes taken out. Minimum wage wouldn't affect me becuase I am under 18 and I could still be paid under the minimum wage. I think having a summer job or a job at a young age would prepare you for when you are older and on your own.
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09/28/2007
Pakbin
Nimitz/Irving
I think majority of students don't pay loads of bills, there for even the min. wage with the tax deduct is enough. Plus all the tax that's taken out is put back into operations in your community even if you don't notice it.
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09/28/2007
Jasmine W.
Central/ Philadelphia LE 5
My summer job, which I still hold a position at during the school year, was at Limited Too. My first check was very disappointing, the amount of taxes taken out was ridiculous. I did not expect that much would be taken out. Plus I thought the same amount would be taken out of every check, but was shocked that with the more money I was paid, the more amount of taxes was taken out. Most summer jobs help students to gain independence. Personally, I gained a sense of humility and improved my self-esteem; on top of the independence
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09/28/2007
Jiaying L.
Central High School Le7, Philadelphia
Yes the tax and all the other deductions are high, but I expected it. A fair amount of them is still coming toward me, and thinking maybe it will actually help me when I'm old, I would say why not. Minimum wage increase was definitely nice since more money is coming to me, but I'm guessing its same for the government because they are just going to take more money out of my check. So i guess the only victim is my employer.
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08/17/2007
A. W.
Furness, Philadelphia
Although my wages will increase, more taxes will cause my take-home pay to be the same.
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