My friend and I are both nurses at the same hospital making the same income. On our first paycheck I had $440 taken out for federal witholding but my friend didn't even a federal witholding bracket on her paycheck, so she didn't have any money taken out except for SS and medicare. We both claimed to be single with no dependents and our W4 forms look exactly the same... she mentioned her father may have filled out this other form or something. Is there a way to get exempt from federal witholding?

I think there has been some sort of mistake made with your friend's check.

When you tell them what to withhold you can tell them you are exempt, now you have to pay taxes at the end of the year, saying you are exempt does not make you exempt.

So if they don't have the proper taxes withheld, they will owe it at the end of the year and perhaps a penalty for not having the proper amount withheld.

You can claim exempt on W4 only if
1. You did not have any taxable income in 2007, and
2. You do not expect to have taxable income in 2008.
If you are Single and you expect to earn more than $8950 in 2008, then you can not claim exempt.
About the allowances you should claim on W4: Your U.S. Tax Return: Filing W4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate

I agree with Twinkie.

Given the information provided, there is probably an error with your freind's check.

She should get it resolved, because it likely that, come 15 April 2009, she will NOT have the money in the bank to write a rather LARGE check to the IRS (and the state, if your state has an income tax). While payment plans are available, they involve interest and set-up fees, PLUS an under-withholding penalty is possible from BOTH the IRS and the state.