topic W-4 - Single or Married ? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

W-4 - Single or Married ?

cnclement67 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:32:21 GMT

Hi!

My financial planner advised that my husband and I check "Single" on our W-4 so more taxes are taken out. Do you advise that we do this even though we file taxes jointly

Re: W-4 - Single or Married ?

Bsch4477 — Wed, 29 May 2024 20:05:01 GMT

Since your financial planner knows your entire financial situation follow their advice.

Re: W-4 - Single or Married ?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 29 May 2024 20:08:32 GMT

Thats what i did when I worked and married. I claimed Single to have more taken out. Or you can try increasing the withholding by adding a fixed amount to it. Or send in extra estimated payments to cover the higher tax when you both have income.

Re: W-4 - Single or Married ?

marctu — Wed, 29 May 2024 20:09:39 GMT

Thank you for the question. Your financial advisor probably has significantly more information about your joint financial picture then this question presents.

When your W-4 Part 1 filing status is checked as Single, income taxes are withheld at a higher rate then if the filing status is Married filing jointly. Your financial advisor is most likely attempting to account for income other then on the W-2.

Assuming this is what your financial advisor is recommending, I would also recommend that you account for most of the additional income by using these two resources:

TurboTax's W-4 Calculator

TurboTax's Tax Caster tax calculator