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Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 28, 2026
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Is this a live video call or just an option to chat?

MetLife VIII

AmyC

Level 15

This is a written chat event. You can reply with any questions you have.

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rwhitfieldAuthor

Level 2

We have owed over $10,000 every year for the past 3 years. We both work, own our home, 2 kids and both have our deductions at 0. We are at a loss on how this keeps happening. We have used the IRS tax estimator yet still owe. What else can we do to ensure we don't owe? Is there a better way to estimate our tax burden?

AmyC

Level 15

I'm not sure if you can see the previous thread but I asked about ways to estimate our tax burden because we have owed a lot. One of the suggestions was making quarterly payments to the IRS or increasing our federal withholdings. Could we put the amounts into the HRA account and increase our 401K contributions dollar per dollar to not owe? So instead of paying $2500 each quarter could I split that quarterly $2500 between our 401K's and HRA accounts?

Yes, the thread is visible. You have great questions and clever ideas.

The HRA- funded by employer. HSA funded by you would be an effective way to reduce income.
The 401k with pre-tax dollars is a great place to tuck money away and lower your tax bill.

These are not a dollar for dollar swap so you will want to check your liability throughout the year (bonuses, stock options, etc) and verify your withholding is on pace. I recommend checking 4 times a year. That way you can make estimated payments or change withholding. The IRS expects payment the same quarter as the income earned.

@RogerD1 is correct about saving money and making estimated payments or changing your w4 at work where it has the withhold additional $ per pay period.

Use the Tax bracket calculator to find out what percent should be withheld to zero out or at least get below owing $5k and the extra penalties.

Start with

Determine taxable income to date
Determine federal tax withheld / paid and divide it by taxable income.
See if you will owe money and make payment or adjust w4. It can adjusted at work daily if you want.

Example: Marginal tax rate 10% Take tax and divide by income