Adjusting W4; IRS says to claim $1284? Explain like I’m 5.

[N_Br0wn]

Recently, I was told to file married filing separately — I used the IRS Tax Withholding calculator. I entered mine and my spouse’s info based on our most recent pay stubs. It generated a new W4 for me that I can simply submit. Cool.

I looked it over and it’s telling me to claim $1284 on line 3. We don’t have children. No extra tax credits like education, mortgage, or interest. No investments or anything like that. Super simple.

I’m trying to make sure we / I break even or as close to it as possible. I don’t want a tax bill for 2025. So, Can someone explain why like I’m five years old?

[fanfare]

"I’m trying to make sure we / I break even or as close to it as possible. "

In that case you must estimate your 2025 tax as close as possible.

@N_Br0wn