topic Claiming dependents in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Claiming dependents

Jtaylor216 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:24:46 GMT

Next year my child’s mother and I will start trading off on who can claim her as a dependent. We now split her time 50/50.
I usually claim 2 on my federal for the past 6 years she has lived with me. I noticed I claim 1 on my state; I’m not sure why they’re different. Maybe I forgot to change them both to 2.
Can or should I adjust my w4 every year now?
I want to maximize my take home pay without owing money at tax time.
What should I be claiming, for both federal and state?

Re: Claiming dependents

carmen_t — Wed, 24 May 2023 19:47:37 GMT

Great question! Since this change will reflect your current year taxes and alternate each year I would definitley update your W4 form with your employer to account for the most up to date tax situation for you. Besides updating W4 form with your employer I would use a tax calculator. TaxCaster is a good one and I will add a helpful article on how to estimate federal withholding.

TaxCaster

How to Estimate Federal Withholding

W4 Calculator