Right now I claim single and zero and pay the most in taxes. I'm single rent an apartment in hollywood and I'm 22. I make about 800-1000 a week and get paid every 2 weeks. They take between 450-600 from me in taxes every 2 weeks and I feel that is so much. I can't even afford to fully live when they take out that much.

I was wondering if claiming something else would work for me but if I would have to pay a lot of money at the end of the year? I don't have anything to really write off at the end of the year and they hardly gave me any money back with how much taxes I pay.

They should be withholding 6.2% for social security and 1.45% for medicaire, and for federal taxes they should be withholding about $340 on $2000 bi-weekly pay (this is an estimate which will vary depepnding on your actual taxable wages and exemption credits you specified on your W4). You may have other deductions such as state/local income tax, medical and/or detal insurance, life insurance, 401(k) plan, etc. It's impossible for us to say whether the total deductions of %450 - $600 is correct or not without knowing what these other items may be.

There is also a deduction for California SUI/SDI taxes.

Claiming SINGLE with ZERO exemptions is TOO MUCH! You shold get a LARGE refund come tax time next year, but that is lending both the U.S. government and California money at zero interest.

Submit another W-4 (and the California equivalent form) claiming SINGLE with THREE exemptions to reduce the withholding for the rest of 2008.

Then submit again in January to claim SINGLE with TWO exemptions. That should cover your tax liability for 2009, with you getting a small refund from both the IRS and California.