I'm a bit confused.

When I was single, I always checked single and 0, and usually came out even or they owed me a little bit. Perfect.

Now I'm married, and checked the box for married filing jointly. Taxes dropped per paycheck.

I just did a quick tax liabilities calculator for the rest of the year, plugging in the numbers we already have. It says I'll owe thousands by the end of the year.

I tried using the IRS W4 calculator, but it doesn't seem to account for people who's paychecks change from week to week (mine vary greatly due to OT). It suggest that based off THIS particular week that I withold an extra couple hundred dollars. I don't see how it will work out evenly, though, when some paychecks are double of others.

Sorry if some of my terminology is wrong, I'm no tax expert. I just want to pay what I owe and not have a big surprise at the end of the year.

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Posted by FinleyStreet

Member since Aug 2011

8000 posts

Posted on 1/30/22 at 11:41 am to indytiger

Just estimate what you think you're going to make this year and adjust your withholdings based on that amount. You should also calculate your tax liability on a quarterly basis so you can make sure you're on track. That way you can adjust your withholdings throughout the year and/or make quarterly payments accordingly.

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Posted by tigersfan1989

Baton Rouge

Member since Oct 2018

1265 posts

Posted on 1/30/22 at 11:58 am to indytiger

(no message)

This post was edited on 2/28/22 at 3:43 am

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Posted by Dawgfanman

Member since Jun 2015

26226 posts

Posted on 1/30/22 at 12:32 pm to indytiger

I assume you make considerably more than your spouse?

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Posted by indytiger

Krotz Springs

Member since Oct 2004

10237 posts

Posted on 1/30/22 at 12:56 pm to Dawgfanman

Correct

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Posted by Twenty 49

Shreveport

Member since Jun 2014

21196 posts

Posted on 1/31/22 at 6:45 am to indytiger

Putting correct information on the W4 seems to doom you to a big tax bill at the end of the year. Very aggravating. Best to fill in the blank to also deduct $__ extra each time.

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Posted by finchmeister08

Member since Mar 2011

40023 posts

Posted on 1/31/22 at 7:06 am to Twenty 49

quote:
Putting correct information on the W4 seems to doom you to a big tax bill at the end of the year.

literally just happened to me.

quote:
Step 2: Multiple Jobs or Spouse Works.

(c) If there are only two jobs total, you may check this box. Do the same on Form W-4 for the other job. This option is accurate for jobs with similar pay: otherwise, more tax than necessary may be withheld.... :checkbox:

we did not have that box checked and now my wife and i owe $5k to Uncle Sam because we didn't withhold enough.

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Posted by GEAUXT

Member since Nov 2007

30482 posts

Posted on 1/31/22 at 9:18 am to indytiger

Better to owe some money than get a big refund. At least you have the money and can put it to work during the year.

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Posted by Clint Torres

Member since Oct 2011

2840 posts

Posted on 1/31/22 at 9:50 am to indytiger

Same has happened to my wife and I over the past couple of years.. Seems to me that it has corresponded with the SALT cap at 10k. Trump's "tax cut" wasn't for us, apparently. Just a theory though.

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