How to fill out updated W4s to avoid having to pay over $2k at tax time?

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
May 13, 2026
1 reply
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Something is off and for the last 3 years we end up having to pay over $2k for federal taxes. How can we fill out updated forms so that we either come out close even or end up with a small return ?

hopefully this information is sufficient:

-We have 2 kids (ages 6 & 8 )

-I make about $60k

-She makes about $120k

again, just looking to come out even if maybe a slight return as a buffer so that we don’t have to pay every year.

thank you so much!

mbpeddie

Employee Tax Expert

If you have had to pay over 2 K in taxes over the last 3 years, you should definitely submit new W4 forms to your employers.

The TurboTax W4 calculator will help you estimate your withholding so you come close or even end up with a small refund.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/w4/

Both you and your spouse should fill out the W4 and in step 2 (b) use the multiple jobs worksheet to determine the amount of extra withholding. Enter that amount in 4(C) for your wife's W4 as it is the higher paying job. Also claim dependents on your wife's W4 as well.

On both W4 forms , indicate you are married filing joint.

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abarthuly13Author

Level 2

I’ve started that process a few times, but I struggle to find the necessary information on our paystubs.

I was hoping that it would be easy enough basically just to tell me what to do…I know that sounds lazy but a guy can hope!

Loretta P

Employee Tax Expert

One option is to walk through the steps in the calculator.

When you walk through the W-4 Calculator 2026 you will be entering your wages & your wife's wages.
It will also ask you to enter all expected income from other sources (retirement, investment interest/dividends, stock sales, etc.).
You will then answer questions to indicate if you are itemizing your deductions or using the standard deduction.
The calculator will also have you enter information or answer questions about any possible tax credits you may qualify for.

Another option is to take the amount you usually owe (in your example you said it was $2,000.) and divide that amount by the number of pay periods left between now and the end of the year. That amount is how much additional you want your employer to withhold from your check so that hopefully you will owe nothing at the end of the year.

The IRS W-4 guidelines/FAQ suggest the easiest way to increase your withholding is to enter the additional amount in Step 4(c) of the new W-4 forms that you would like your employer to withhold from each paycheck.

Helpful links:

FAQs on the 2020 Form W-4

W-4 Calculator 2026

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