--- title: Tax Guidelines for Work Study Employees description: It's important to know why work study is significant and how to include this school related tax on your tax form. image: https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/hs-fs/file-262682051-jpg/images/work_study_employee.jpg --- [(866)866-1555](tel:866-866-1555) | [Contact](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/contact-us) [![Top Tax Defenders](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/nov_15/ttd_logo_test_new.png?width=314&height=64&name=ttd_logo_test_new.png "Top Tax Defenders")](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com) # Tax Matters - The Top Tax Defenders Blog # Tax Guidelines for Work Study Employees By Top Tax Staff | Sep 24, 2013 7:00:00 AM | [Business Taxes](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/business-taxes), [Tax Tips and Help](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-tips-and-help) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F185372%2Ftax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F185372%2Ftax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F185372%2Ftax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F185372%2Ftax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Tax%20Guidelines%20for%20Work%20Study%20Employees) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F185372%2Ftax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F185372%2Ftax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.toptaxdefenders.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F185372%2Ftax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ![Close up Pretty Young Woman in Yellow Shirt Marking Ads in Newspaper Using Pen at the Table.](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Close%20up%20Pretty%20Young%20Woman%20in%20Yellow%20Shirt%20Marking%20Ads%20in%20Newspaper%20Using%20Pen%20at%20the%20Table..jpeg?width=1000&name=Close%20up%20Pretty%20Young%20Woman%20in%20Yellow%20Shirt%20Marking%20Ads%20in%20Newspaper%20Using%20Pen%20at%20the%20Table..jpeg) College students have been using work study as a way to earn additional income for school for many years. While work study provides a regular stream of income, it is not actually classified as a job because it is a form of financial aid provided for needy students. Despite this classification, though, receiving work study income can have an impact on your federal income tax liability at the end of the year. For this reason, it's important to know why work study is significant and how to include this [school related tax](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/bid/160588/Tax-Credits-and-Deductions-for-Adults-Going-Back-to-School) on your tax form.  ### [![DID YOU RECEIVE AN IRS AUDIT NOTICE? DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE ON FIGHTING AN IRS AUDIT >>](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/139062/7b6035f5-162a-44ad-8fb1-35e7a2cd3f78.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/139062/7b6035f5-162a-44ad-8fb1-35e7a2cd3f78) ### Qualifying for Work Study Since work study is a form of federal financial aid, you must meet certain qualifications to be considered for it. First, you must be enrolled in college and taking at least six credit hours. This is the minimum workload you need to apply for all types of financial aid, including work study. A second requirement is that you demonstrate genuine financial need. To prove this, you'll have to submit information showing your annual taxable income and tax liability from the previous year, as well as your current income amounts and number of dependents. If you live with your parents and can be [claimed as a dependent on your parents' taxes](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/bid/165308/Deducting-Child-and-Dependent-Care-Expenses-on-Your-Tax-Return), then your eligibility will depend on their income tax information. The final requirement to be considered for work study is that you must complete a [Free Application for Federal Student Aid](http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) (FAFSA) by the annual deadline. You must indicate your interest in the work study program by checking the appropriate box on the FAFSA. ### [![DO YOU NEED IRS TAX HELP? SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH OUR TAX EXPERTS »](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/139062/758dc20d-7fa2-4e2a-a2ae-b124ff4cd561.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/139062/758dc20d-7fa2-4e2a-a2ae-b124ff4cd561) ### How Work Study Operates If you are offered a work study position, you essentially receive a part time job right on the campus grounds. For example, you may be able to choose from an assignment in the campus bookstore, library, or student records department. Work study recipients can only work up to the number of hours it takes to use their financial aid award. ### How Work Study Income Affects Your Taxes The income you receive from your work study job is considered taxable according to the IRS. This means that you'll have to include it in your total earned income for the year and you'll have to pay tax on it. When you are initially hired for the job, you'll be asked to complete a Form W-4 to indicate how much income tax you would like to have withheld from your pay. If you calculate your withholding allowances carefully, you can ensure that enough tax will be withheld to keep you from having to pay more taxes after the tax deadline. Work study can be a useful way for students to earn additional money during their time in college. If you qualify for work study and receive income, be sure to report your earnings as part of your income to maintain compliance with the IRS regulations.     *[![Tax Credits Guide](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/139062/7b3c35cc-7444-4dd2-9f4a-a238f983623f.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/139062/7b3c35cc-7444-4dd2-9f4a-a238f983623f)* COMMENTS ### SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL ### POSTS BY TOPIC - [Tax Tips and Help (287)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-tips-and-help) - [IRS Collections (121)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-collections) - [IRS Audit (72)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-audit) - [Tax Credits and Deductions (69)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-credits-and-deductions) - [Tax Resolution (62)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-resolution) - [Business Taxes (53)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/business-taxes) - [Back Taxes (51)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/back-taxes) - [Wage Garnishment (22)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/wage-garnishment) - [Tax Levies (19)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-levies) - [IRS Payment Plans (15)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-payment-plans) - [Tax Liens (14)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-liens) - [Offer in Compromise (9)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/offer-in-compromise) - [Unfiled Tax Returns (9)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/unfiled-tax-returns) - [IRS Tax Attorneys (7)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/irs-tax-attorneys) - [Asset Seizure (6)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/asset-seizure) - [Tax Evasion (6)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/tax-evasion) - [Criminal Tax Defense (4)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/criminal-tax-defense) - [Innocent Spouse Relief (4)](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/topic/innocent-spouse-relief) [see all](https://www.toptaxdefenders.com/blog/bid/185372/tax-guidelines-for-work-study-employees#) ### RECENT ARTICLES ### POPULAR ARTICLES Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum. 11222 Richmond Avenue Suite 235, Houston, TX 77082 Copyright 2026 Top Tax Defenders. 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