I was tinkering around seeing if I had increased my 401K contribution this year how much it would reduce my tax liability and nothing changed.

[sciguyeahs]

More details. After completing all my income and deductions I owe $4200. Out of curiosity, I went back into our w-2 and increased the 401K contributions to the maximums. Yet the $4200 remained. I had understood that contributing to a 401K reduces ones overall income and the taxes as well?

What did I miss here?

[DawnC0]

The amount of 401K contributions on your W-2 is not included in your Box 1 amount.  That is how you get the tax deduction, so unless you are also lowering your Box 1 amount, you may not see a change.   A change in your W-2 401K may change your Saver's Credit if you qualify for the credit.  If you saw no change when you changed the amount, revisit the Saver's credit interview as this is where you would see your tax bill lowered.  If you don't qualify for the Saver's Credit, you won't see a change.   https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3301263