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First paycheck? Where your money could be going.

Key takeaways

  • Your paycheck will likely not be the actual dollar figure you take home—that's normal.
  • Money from income is probably already withheld for taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.
  • Now that you have an income it is wise to start saving for emergencies and retirement.

If you are like most young workers, the actual dollar figure you take home can be a bit of a shock. This money isn't disappearing, though. Rather, it's going toward things like taxes, Social Security, and benefits like health care and retirement savings.

Knowing where your money goes and how it is spent is a critical component of getting control of your finances and reaching your goals. Starting early with good financial habits can help you lay the groundwork for success along your financial journey. And no, it is not too early to think about retirement.

Read on to learn more about where money from your paycheck is going, and some easy financial habits to consider from your very first paycheck to help save for tomorrow.

Understanding taxes

A portion of your paycheck will go to taxes. Here are some to keep an eye on.

Payroll taxes. If you have a job, your employer will generally withhold a portion of each paycheck to pay state and federal income tax, based on your income bracket tax rate, as well as the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax (FICA), which is the government program that funds Social Security and Medicare. When you complete your tax return at the end of the tax year, you'll learn that you either overpaid or underpaid your total taxes for the year. Depending on the outcome, you'll either receive a refund from the IRS or be obligated to send them a check for what you owe.

Self-employment taxes. If you work for yourself—perhaps as a freelancer or a business owner—you must pay self-employment tax, which accounts for both the employer's and employee's respective shares of FICA. And if you don't have an employer to withhold your taxes, you may need to file estimated taxes quarterly with the IRS and your state treasurer. For more information, visit the IRS Self-Employment Tax page.

Filing your income-tax return. You might be filing your first return for which you are not claimed as a dependent of your parents. Fortunately, it's typically easy. The key is to stay organized. Early each year you'll receive your W-2 forms (listing any employment income you earned during the previous year) and various 1099 forms (which include income from self-employment, dividends, interest, and other sources). Create a simple system for collecting and categorizing these and any other financial documents.

If you have all necessary documents on hand when tax season rolls around, it should be easy to complete the appropriate forms—either on paper or using an online tax software program. If you want someone to help you and you don't mind paying a fee, you can take all your paperwork to a certified public accountant. No matter how you do your taxes, it's smart to start early to avoid last minute stress.

Other important things to think about now that you have a paycheck:

Start saving for retirement: Retirement probably seems far away but setting aside even a small portion of your income now will make it easier to build the savings you'll eventually need to retire. If your employer offers a retirement plan, sign up for it. If you have a 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plan and your employer offers a matching retirement contribution, take advantage of it. The matching contribution is like getting "free" money. Plus, you get the potential benefits of tax-deferred growth and compounding returns.

The sooner you start, the more potential your money has to grow. In many instances, you can set up an automatic contribution to your employer's retirement plan, so that a percentage is taken out of your paycheck each month. This is a great idea, because having the contributions automated will reduce the temptation to spend that money elsewhere.

You should also check to see if your employer offers a health savings account (HSA), or a high-deductible health plan option. To learn more about HSAs read more Viewpoints on Fidelity.com: 5 ways HSAs can fortify your retirement.

Create an emergency fund: At some point, you're likely to have an urgent need for cash, whether your car breaks down, you get laid off, or you need to move for a new job. In all cases, you need a financial cushion to fall back on. During your first year of full-time employment, Fidelity suggests building at least three months' worth of living expenses in an easily accessible savings account, and only touch it when absolutely necessary. To learn more about creating an emergency fund, read more Viewpoints at Fidelity.com: Preparing for emergencies.

Graduation from college and/or starting your first full-time job entirely revamps your financial situation: You have a new degree of freedom to live the life you want to live, and you have new financial responsibilities, from taxes to possible loan payments.

Building good financial habits is a critical part of creating the life you have always dreamed of living. Now that you understand more about your paycheck, make sure to start saving for your future. It only takes small steps today to set yourself up for financial success tomorrow.

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This information is intended to be educational and is not tailored to the investment needs of any specific investor.

Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to change, which can materially impact investment results. Fidelity cannot guarantee that the information herein is accurate, complete, or timely. Fidelity makes no warranties with regard to such information or results obtained by its use, and disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or any tax position taken in reliance on, such information. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation.

Keep in mind that investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate over time, and you may gain or lose money.

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