I claimed exempt from federal taxes for 8 months of 2018 because I received it all back the previous year...why do I owe this year? Am I missing something?

[CynthiaR · Accepted solution]

If you had no federal withholdings taken out for 8 months you would come up short on the withholdings to be able to get a refund.   You probably made more money in 2018 so consequently you owe more in taxes. With higher income and higher taxes and little withholdings it is not a surprise that you would owe.