Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 1
posted May 29, 2024 11:25:03 AM

How can I change my W-4 so I don’t owe again?

how do i check my paystubs to confirm that i am withholding the correct amounts federal and state (MA) so that I do not owe taxes

 

0 2 1502
2 Replies
Level 15
May 29, 2024 11:29:57 AM

Multiply the amounts withheld on your pay stub by the number of your pay periods to get a good idea of what will be withheld for the year. If the totals match your tax liability for the previous year you should be fine. 

Employee Tax Expert
May 29, 2024 12:52:27 PM

It is a good idea to double-check paystubs throughout the year for proper withholding as our income can change.  While adding up the federal or state withholding and comparing to last year's tax return is a good practice, if you have any life changes these can directly impact income tax liability and mean that the W4 needs to be updated.  Some things that can qualify a new W4 that are often missed is:

  1.  Change of Address
  2.  Change in Marital Status
  3. Change of Name
  4. Change in Income
  5. Caring for a Dependent
  6. Caring for a Parent

If any of the above change, I recommend starting the W-4 calculator and then monitoring the paystubs for the change.  The important take away is that the W-4 is not a static document and needs to be revisited at least twice a year, in my opinion.