I am single and file my w-2 claiming 0. everything remained the same this past year. I usually get 1k back and this year it says I owe $8. How can this be possible?

[MoniQ1231]

Nothing has changed. Zero exceptions. Everything is the same from last year and I got 1k then and every year before. This doesn’t seem right. Help please.

[Vanessa A]

Go back and double check your entries.  It sounds like there may be a typo in there. 

 If not, then compare your last years return to this years return.  Did you have more withheld this year or get a raise and have a lot more withheld?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Nothing is the same as last year.  There are many differences.   If you have kids they are a year older.  That can make big changes.  Also the tax laws and brackets might have changed.  The withholding tables change each year.   Each year is separate.  

You have to compare this year with last year’s return LINE BY LINE and see what changed.  Maybe you’ll spot something you left out or entered wrong.  Common things are leaving a decimal point out or typing a comma for a decimal point, or typing an extra digit.  Getting the wrong taxable amount on a 1099R entry or entering the 1099R wrong and getting hit with a penalty.  Missing the qualified dividends in 1099-DIV box 2a.   I could go on and on.