My income and deductions have not changed significantly year over year, yet I owed approximately $2,000 last year (Federal) and this year I owe $6,500 .

[jan-klincewicz]

My income rose a small amount. I did sell some company stock .

[mischellu]

There are so many possible reasons for this. You mentioned that your income and deductions have changed though not "significantly".

Selling company stock increases your income-(unless you lost money on the stock) the amount of tax you pay on the profit depends on if it is a short-term or long-term capital gain. Short-term (owned less than 1 year is taxed at the same rate as your other income. I would look into that first because it may have pushed you into a higher tax bracket.

Our daughter claimed herself this year and it raised our tax rate significantly. Changing from married to single, etc.
Hope that gives you a good starting point. The Turbo Tax year over year worksheet is a great tool for helping to figure out the differences.

[jan-klincewicz]

The stock I sold were "restricted" shares, and my company plan supposedly pays taxes on the shares as they are issued.  The ones I sold were older than a year, and SHOULD have showed a capital loss based on the price when they were issued.  Aside from that , there were no significant differences.  The order of magnitude in what I owed was kind of shocking.   I think next year, I will be seeking out an accountant as opposed to doing my own taxes.  The explanations I received from TurboTax were very generic, and did not explain (to my satisfaction) this level of difference owed year over year.   Thanks.