Owing money during tax time can be very frustrating but understanding how it works can help.
Step 1 is going to be your personal information.
Step 2 is where you would enter that both spouses work.
Step 3 is where you would claim any dependents, (this accounts for any child tax credit you may receive)
Step 4 will account for other adjustments such as extra income outside the two main jobs, itemized deductions, or add extra withholdings.
Checking box 2(c) is the most accurate way to determine withholding when a taxpayer has 2 jobs or if the spouse works and the income is close to the same. If there are more than 2 jobs or a huge difference in income then 2(b) is the better option.
Lets say your current withholdings are $2k short of what it needs to be. Now take that $2K and divide it amount the amount of paychecks you receive. example 2,000/26= 77 with rounding. This means you need an extra $77 taken from each paycheck to make up the difference. You can add this amount in step 4 on the W-4.
