Hello my name is emiley

[emileym22]

hi. I started a new job last month, on the new w-4 I am not married or do not have 2 jobs. So I skipped the 1st part and filled out the rest, I am filing H-O-H and claiming 2 dependents. But no regular federal tax has been withheld. Only fed ss and fed Medicare. I asked my employer about it they said I need to see a tax expert and find out if I'm filing right. What am I doing wrong ?

[macuser_22]

For 2020 the standard deduction was $18,650 Head of Household (probably slightly more for 2021) so your income has probably not crossed the threshold to require withholding.   Your employer does the withholding so they should be able to tell you (the person you asked probably does not do their payroll).

[emileym22]

Should I change to single would that make difference? Or wait it out ? I don't want to owe.

[WendyS · Accepted solution]

Hi Emiley!

 First, I just want to say congratulations on the new job!!

The IRS tax withholding estimator is an extremely useful tool to calculate your potential tax liability for the year. It takes in to account all of your income (from all sources), filing status, deductions and credits (such as child tax credits for dependents you mentioned).  I highly recommend you use this tool.  Once you use the estimator tool, you can make a determination if you should have extra withholding on your W-4.  

The IRS tax withholding estimator tool can be found on the IRS website at:  https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator/income-and-withholding/ 

You will begin by clicking on the blue button, Use the Tax Withholding Estimator, which will guide you through a series of question about your specific tax situation.   Please be sure to answer all questions related to your specific tax situation when using the estimator in order to receive the most complete results.

Please note that if you had a previous job earlier in the year and you replaced it with your new job you started last month, you will need to enter 2 jobs in the estimator tool. (not on the W-4).  The tool will prompt you to enter the dates for each job, so you can put the start and end dates, as well as earnings and withholdings from each job.

Based on the results of the estimator, you may need to complete step 4 of the W-4 for extra withholding.  For your convenience, I am including a link to the 2021 W-4 as well. The W-4 is located at  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf

[emileym22]

Thank you ! I understand NOTHING about taxes lol. I was at 1 job 2015-2020 and everything was always the same for me. Until now. 

[WendyS]

Emiley,

Just use the tool above and enter your information. It is user friendly and will guide you along.  You've got this!!

[SundayInSalem]

TurboTax has a free withholding calculator. The TurboTax W-4 Withholding Calculator is better than the IRS calculator because:

1. The calculator allows you to adjust your anticipated refund
2. It shows you exactly what numbers to put on Form W-4.