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Started By
Message
Setting up W4 as a married person
Posted on 5/27/26 at 8:21 am
Posted on 5/27/26 at 8:21 am
So figured this would be easy. I got married 2 years ago and started filing married filing jointly.
Never actually told my old job so I don’t think my W-4 was ever changed. However I don’t remember my tax bill come April really being that different when I started filing differently even though my withheld taxes stayed the same.
New job comes along and I list myself as married filing jointly. Well my first paycheck comes in, and it is a partial paycheck, but the net is like 81%. Something has to be incorrect right?
We don’t have any dependents or qualifying disabilities.
My wife and I both make the exact same amount just north of six figures (if amount matters at all). So it’s not like I’m the sole earner either.
Never actually told my old job so I don’t think my W-4 was ever changed. However I don’t remember my tax bill come April really being that different when I started filing differently even though my withheld taxes stayed the same.
New job comes along and I list myself as married filing jointly. Well my first paycheck comes in, and it is a partial paycheck, but the net is like 81%. Something has to be incorrect right?
We don’t have any dependents or qualifying disabilities.
My wife and I both make the exact same amount just north of six figures (if amount matters at all). So it’s not like I’m the sole earner either.
8
Posted on 5/27/26 at 8:46 am to jlovel7
Your top marginal tax rate should be at 22% at your pay scale. Not sure what your local and with withholdings would be or anything like that. With the info at hand it doesn't seem too crazy.
Here's a link to a free W4 tax calculator from Turbotax. That should be more accurate than any guess from someone here. The IRS has one as well, but it's experience isn't a smooth.
W4 Calculator - Turbo tax
Here's a link to a free W4 tax calculator from Turbotax. That should be more accurate than any guess from someone here. The IRS has one as well, but it's experience isn't a smooth.
W4 Calculator - Turbo tax
This post was edited on 5/27/26 at 8:47 am
Posted on 5/27/26 at 9:21 am to jlovel7
quote:whats his net worth? Does he come from old money?
I got married 2 years ago
Posted on 5/27/26 at 9:28 am to jlovel7
Why not just go back to single witholding since it was already dialed in? If you are both making nearly same income it makes sense you wouldnt see much change in total tax bill MFJ.
Posted on 5/27/26 at 10:45 am to jlovel7
Nothing more to add on W4 adjustment.
Just want to suggest that you aim to find the withholding that enables yall to be no more than $0 refund when annual filing, if not having to pay reasonable amount.
No free loans to govt.
I am anticipating 2027 will owe and have that money sitting in money market account making north of 4%. Aiming interest earned will pay for nice long weekend vacation.
Thank you, Uncle Sam!
Just want to suggest that you aim to find the withholding that enables yall to be no more than $0 refund when annual filing, if not having to pay reasonable amount.
No free loans to govt.
I am anticipating 2027 will owe and have that money sitting in money market account making north of 4%. Aiming interest earned will pay for nice long weekend vacation.
Thank you, Uncle Sam!
This post was edited on 5/27/26 at 10:46 am
Posted on 5/28/26 at 9:46 am to jlovel7
Single. Zero.
Posted on 5/28/26 at 9:51 am to jlovel7
You mentioned you never updated your W-4 at your old job after getting married. That means your old job still had you listed as "Single" or "Married, but withhold at higher Single rate".
The "Single" tax brackets and standard deduction are exactly half of the "Married" ones. Because you and your wife make the exact same amount, withholding at the "Single" rate at your old job accidentally calculated your taxes perfectly. It withheld the correct amount for your half of the household income, which is why your tax bills didn't change much.
The "Single" tax brackets and standard deduction are exactly half of the "Married" ones. Because you and your wife make the exact same amount, withholding at the "Single" rate at your old job accidentally calculated your taxes perfectly. It withheld the correct amount for your half of the household income, which is why your tax bills didn't change much.
Posted on 5/28/26 at 10:06 am to jlovel7
I have never set mine for married or any dependents. I do get some amount of return every year so I could probably dial it in a bit, but I’m cool with giving the govt a little free loan to reduce our household budget and have a bulk “bonus” come in
Posted on 5/28/26 at 10:28 am to jlovel7
Single. None. My wife and I both do that. We have two kids. Are annual AGI is north of 400k. I also withhold an extra 200 each paycheck . Payroll companies suck and that gets us about 1500 back each year. Best thing to do is grab the tax tables and calculate your liability then adjust.
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