how can I ballpark my taxes for

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what me and the wife made this year on our last W2

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If you have your W2's, just do your taxes.

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the same way you ballpark a calculus assignment

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Add up your net taxable income. Usually your check stub will show gross and net. The net typically excludes non-taxable items (e.g., pension contributions, parking, HSA, etc.).

Add both your net taxable incomes. Subtract your personal exemptions and standard deduction (if you don't itemize). Then figure your tax with one of the many on-line tax tables/charts you can find.

Then, just compare that to what you had withheld - ONLY Federal tax withholding, not SS/Medicare w/h - and that will give you your ballpark.

Here's the Tax Tables.


ETA: This brings up another one of my pet peaves -- SS/Medicare taxes. Not only do they charge you 7.5% of your salary as taxes that you NEVER see, but they also tax you on it. The amount you contribute is part of your taxable income. They also require your employer to put up another 7.5%. I guess we're lucky that they don't also look to tax us on that as well.

turbotax.com has an easy, free 2009 tax calculator...

go to turbotax.com...click on tools and calculators, then click the 2009 tax estimator

You should resubmit the W-4 and L-4 to your employers to get closer to the actual taxes you will owe. In theory, you should not owe anything at EOY if this is done properly.

Another thing to consider is any other income you may have, interest dividends, stock transactions. You cannot go just by the W-2.