Its been many years since I filled out a W4 but due to a job change, I need to do this
Your W-4 is a document you give to your employer to tell them how much tax to withhold from your paychecks. The W-4 does not go to the IRS, nor does it dictate what you have to enter on your tax return when you prepare it. If you have too little tax withheld, then you may end up owing at tax time. Too much withheld, and you may get a refund---while also giving the government an interest free loan all year.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/w4/
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf
It’s your choice whether to not claim dependents and have a larger refund or to claim them and have more money in your paycheck.
Thank you I understand its my choice however my HR is telling me I cannot claim zero any longer in the dependents section. I feel like this should be way easier than it feels
@j_kfrazier Did you look at the W-4 and the instructions that go with it?
Do you see that you have an option to have an EXTRA amount withheld from your paychecks if you are worried about owing at tax time?
I have seen that but I am not worried necessarily about owing more. We are very basic: Standard deduction, 2 dependents, filing jointly. I have always gotten more taken each paycheck and had a return at the end
As part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the IRS and Treasury adjusted the tax withholding tables, which affects the amount of income taxes withheld from your pay. In 2020, W4's were completely redesigned.
Exemptions or Allowances are no longer applicable. This was the 0 you were used to claiming for dependents.
My suggestion is to use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator here when filling out your new W4.