If I am getting married before April 15, can I mark married on my W4?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 7, 2019
7 replies
64 views

I will be getting married before April 15 (2017), and I am currently (2016) changing jobs. Can I fill out the W4 as if I were already married?

Best answer by null725

No. Your tax filing status is based on your marital status as of 12/31 of the tax year, so if you are single as of 12/31/2016, you will file your 2016 tax return as single, and if you change your withholding now, you will very probably be under withheld and owe tax.

rainydaze

Alumni - Champ

Your tax status is based on your marriage status on December 31, not April 15 of the following year.

null725Answer

Level 13

jca310msAuthor

Level 2

Thank you for you answer. I did not know about the end of the year deadline.

Zbucklyo

Level 8

You can fill out your W-4 anyway you like. However, if it is filled out incorrectly (married vs. single), you may owe significantly more tax - and in a worst case scenario - an underpayment penalty, for doing so.