mmendez09
Returning Member

Step 3 of W-4 in CA

Hi, 


My original W-4 with my current employer is from 2020 and I only claimed our 2 children as dependents on Step 3.  However for 2021 and 2022, I ended up barely paying any federal taxes via my paychecks, so we have owed thousands of dollars after filing.  I want to avoid that for 2023 and want to pay more federal taxes throughout the year, but I am confused if I am just not supposed to claim our 2 children even if that's what the W-4 form asks for?

 

Thank you!