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New Member
posted Jun 15, 2022 7:32:38 PM

Can someone help me fill out my W4 form correctly so I have the smallest refund possible in the future?

I’m married and have a W2 and my husband is an independent contractor.

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3 Replies
Level 15
Jun 15, 2022 7:37:51 PM

Life events such as marriage, divorce, having a baby, or getting a promotion or bonus can have a big impact on your taxes. Filling out a new Form W-4 tells your employer how to calculate federal income tax withholding for your paycheck. That way, you won't wind up owing a big tax bill or having too much money withheld from your paycheck throughout the year.

  • If it's been a while since you filled out Form W-4, you should know that the form was entirely redesigned.
  • The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly changed federal tax laws, so workers and their employers needed a more up-to-date form to calculate the amount of federal tax to withhold.

How to Estimate Federal Withholding 

Turbo tax also has a W 4 Calculator that you can use to calculate the withholding. You should update your withholding every time there is a major life event or you get a new/second job or get a substantial raise. You can use the link below to calculate your withholding.

W-4 Calculator 2022 

Level 15
Jun 15, 2022 8:26:52 PM

I think you will find the Tax Withholding Estimator on the IRS web site more suitable to your purposes than the TurboTax calculator. It will show you how to adjust your withholding to get the approximate refund amount that you want, either increasing or decreasing your refund.

 

Level 15
Jun 15, 2022 11:30:44 PM

do you plan to use the married filing separately filing status (MFS)? if not, then there can be a problem at year-end because of the taxes your husband will owe on his income. You can file jointly and use the innocent spouse form 8379. this would get you your refund but if your husband can't pay his share of the taxes, the IRS can take enforcement action.  I would suggest that before filing for 2022 you consult with a tax pro.  MFS usually results in total combined takes higher than filing jointly.