W-4 event - number of dependents

Hello, I got hit with a very large (for me) tax payment this April. I have one dependent on my W-4. Am I able to claim 0 dependents, and even if I have more kids, still claim 0? That way the government can keep their money and I don’t have to come up with 8k in April that I don’t have. 
Will this mess with any child dependent credits? Will the IRS flag me or claim that I have none because of the 0 on my W-4? 
Thank you,

Joe