I don't know if anyone can help me with this, and of course, it varies tremendously from couple to couple.
I should have sent in my W4 a long time ago with my status changed from single to married. I haven't done it because neither DH nor I can figure our the worksheet on the back. According to that, I would have a huge amount withheld from each paycheck. I feel that it can't be correct!
Anyway, what I wanted to know is this--have you guys found that the amount of money witheld from your checks is a great deal more than it was when you were single? Or does anyone know who I should talk to about something like this.
Thanks--my HR department refuses to help with tax forms.
LovelyL
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
You get taxed less when you change your filing status to married. I used to claim single, O exemptions. I still claim 0 exemptions, but at the married status I am taxed less than before. The W4 worksheet is confusing and somewhat misleading. Just decide the total number of exemptions you want to include and put that number in box #5. The larger the amount of exemptions...the less you will be taxed. However, if you over-calculate your exemptions, you will end up owing when you file taxes.
I work in HR and I have to say I can not believe the department at your company won't help you out. That is absolutely ridiculous!
VickiC
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
I still have taxes taken out as if I'm single. I'd rather have more taken out now then to owe at the end of the year. I check off 0 exemptions, and married but at a higher single rate.
We usually get money back every year.
dpli
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
I used to be single, 1 exemption. After getting married, I changed it to single, 0 exemptions, since we owed $ last year
IrishBride-05
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
Posted by LovelyL
You get taxed less when you change your filing status to married. I used to claim single, O exemptions. I still claim 0 exemptions, but at the married status I am taxed less than before.
I'm confused by this. Everyone I spoke to said you get penalized when you're married and get taxed MORE. For that reason I'm not changing my status. I didn't legally change my name so I'm still filing as single to avoid higher taxes (as advised by a tax attorney). If it's true that I'd be better off filing as married, I'll happily change it
BHW
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
Posted by IrishBride-05
Posted by LovelyL
You get taxed less when you change your filing status to married. I used to claim single, O exemptions. I still claim 0 exemptions, but at the married status I am taxed less than before.
I'm confused by this. Everyone I spoke to said you get penalized when you're married and get taxed MORE. For that reason I'm not changing my status. I didn't legally change my name so I'm still filing as single to avoid higher taxes (as advised by a tax attorney). If it's true that I'd be better off filing as married, I'll happily change it
I think it's probably unethical that your tax attorney advised you to continue filing as single since you're married. You should really be filing as married separate or married joint. My father is a tax attorney and he advised me that it's almost always better to file as married joint as opposed to married separate. Filing as married separate doesn't allow you as many deductions as you'd get by filing married joint. My father has always filed as married joint, and he said that 99% of his clients also file as married joint. IMO, I wouldn't risk lying to the government about your single status to possibly avoid taxes.
IrishBride-05
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
Posted by BHW
Posted by IrishBride-05
Posted by LovelyL
You get taxed less when you change your filing status to married. I used to claim single, O exemptions. I still claim 0 exemptions, but at the married status I am taxed less than before.
I'm confused by this. Everyone I spoke to said you get penalized when you're married and get taxed MORE. For that reason I'm not changing my status. I didn't legally change my name so I'm still filing as single to avoid higher taxes (as advised by a tax attorney). If it's true that I'd be better off filing as married, I'll happily change it
I think it's probably unethical that your tax attorney advised you to continue filing as single since you're married. You should really be filing as married separate or married joint. My father is a tax attorney and he advised me that it's almost always better to file as married joint as opposed to married separate. Filing as married separate doesn't allow you as many deductions as you'd get by filing married joint. My father has always filed as married joint, and he said that 99% of his clients also file as married joint. IMO, I wouldn't risk lying to the government about your single status to possibly avoid taxes.
Thanks for the advice
shamrock12472
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
Posted by BHW
Posted by IrishBride-05
Posted by LovelyL
You get taxed less when you change your filing status to married. I used to claim single, O exemptions. I still claim 0 exemptions, but at the married status I am taxed less than before.
I'm confused by this. Everyone I spoke to said you get penalized when you're married and get taxed MORE. For that reason I'm not changing my status. I didn't legally change my name so I'm still filing as single to avoid higher taxes (as advised by a tax attorney). If it's true that I'd be better off filing as married, I'll happily change it
I think it's probably unethical that your tax attorney advised you to continue filing as single since you're married. You should really be filing as married separate or married joint. My father is a tax attorney and he advised me that it's almost always better to file as married joint as opposed to married separate. Filing as married separate doesn't allow you as many deductions as you'd get by filing married joint. My father has always filed as married joint, and he said that 99% of his clients also file as married joint. IMO, I wouldn't risk lying to the government about your single status to possibly avoid taxes.
I believe you can still file single in the year in which you are married. This is filing single, not filing as married seperate because that usually isn't a benefit to married couples. The reason for filing single as opposed to Married Filing Jointly, is because of the standard deductions and personal exemptions and because of floors for itemized deductions and the possiblity of phaseout.
BHW
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
Posted by shamrock12472
Posted by BHW
Posted by IrishBride-05
Posted by LovelyL
You get taxed less when you change your filing status to married. I used to claim single, O exemptions. I still claim 0 exemptions, but at the married status I am taxed less than before.
I'm confused by this. Everyone I spoke to said you get penalized when you're married and get taxed MORE. For that reason I'm not changing my status. I didn't legally change my name so I'm still filing as single to avoid higher taxes (as advised by a tax attorney). If it's true that I'd be better off filing as married, I'll happily change it
I think it's probably unethical that your tax attorney advised you to continue filing as single since you're married. You should really be filing as married separate or married joint. My father is a tax attorney and he advised me that it's almost always better to file as married joint as opposed to married separate. Filing as married separate doesn't allow you as many deductions as you'd get by filing married joint. My father has always filed as married joint, and he said that 99% of his clients also file as married joint. IMO, I wouldn't risk lying to the government about your single status to possibly avoid taxes.
I believe you can still file single in the year in which you are married. This is filing single, not filing as married seperate because that usually isn't a benefit to married couples. The reason for filing single as opposed to Married Filing Jointly, is because of the standard deductions and personal exemptions and because of floors for itemized deductions and the possiblity of phaseout.
You cannot file single in the year in which you are married. If you got married any time in 2005, you're considered married for that entire year for tax purposes.
From the IRS website: You are considered married for the whole year if on the last day of your tax year you and your spouse meet any one of the following tests. You are married and living together as husband and wife.
You are living together in a common law marriage that is recognized in the state where you now live or in the state where the common law marriage began.
You are married and living apart, but not legally separated under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance.
You are separated under an interlocutory (not final) decree of divorce. For purposes of filing a joint return, you are not considered divorced.
cjik
Posted:
Member since
Re: W4 Question
Many thanks to all of you for your suggestions and information. The worksheet on the back of the W4 form is VERY confusing--according to that, I should have about 1/4 more of my pay taken out of each check! It sounded too high, since as a single person, I'm already paying a lot IMO!
My HR department really has been the worst as far as help since I got married. I work for a huge department in NYC also, so I figured they would have some packet they gave to newlyweds. This weekend, I realized we are eligible for money back from the city since I will be waiving my health benefits (his are so much better). I was so annoyed that no one in HR pointed this out however--I could have gotten some money this year also!
