OK ….I can claim whatever I want on the W-4 as dependents…What about when I am married?

Question

If I am married and have two children, can on put on my W-4 form for my employer, single and claims zero? Or is this illegal?

Answer 1

I work in Human Resources and assist people all the time in completing the W4 form.

You can claim whatever you want to claim. If you're married with kids you can claim single and no kids. It's up to you. And it's legal.

Answer 2

Hi There,

Misty is right. It's when you file your taxes that you want to be accurate. I'm also married with children, but claim 1 on my W4. I do this to help insure I get a refund. An accountant friend advises agaist letting the Feds hold my money for almost a year, but my wife & I enjoy the "forced savings," and use the refund for larger purchases.

Take care,
Voice of Reason

Answer 3

suitable answer is submitting Married;you declare 2 and she or he claims 0 ,considering you have the better earnings and the two artwork.unmarried is withheld at a a protracted way better fee than married,and could supply you a much better refund via heavier taxes.in case you haven't any longer have been given adequate withheld because of a boost,then decrease it to married claiming 1on a joint submitting.the only with the utmost earnings claims the main to maintain the earnings in a decrease tax bracket.as quickly as you have young ones,you do the comparable ingredient.I consistently declare 4 dependents on W-2,even even with the undeniable fact that I even have 5.because of the fact we are good between the 15-25% fee for center earnings filiers.and that i artwork countless added time it truly is under-taxed.If spouse would not artwork,then you definately ought to could desire to lessen it to a million exemption to sidestep having to pay in April.

Answer 4

You can do that legally. It's always legal to file your W4 so that too much tax is withheld during the year. That will get you a big refund at the end of the year. But, why would you want to make an INTEREST FREE loan to the US government? If you claim the correct exemptions on your W4 it will minimize your refund, BUT you'll get a larger paycheck every payday all year long.

What is illegal is filing too many exemptions on your W4 and not having enough tax withheld. If not enough is withheld you may have to pay penalties for underwitholding of tax on top of having to pay the taxes.

Answer 5

Yes, it is legal. They also have a category "married but filing at the single rate". I suggest using this one. Both will take out more taxes, which you will get refunded at tax time.