In order to provide a through response, I'm assuming the following: you are filing a joint tax return, with both spouses still earning wages, and since you indicate you are still working out of necessity, I'm going to further assume that both spouses are already claiming either pension or social security benefits (or possibly both.) You don't indicate if you are working full time or part time at this stage of your careers, so I'm going to assume it's full time.
Keep in mind that social security income, as well as pension income is taxable and if you are not having any taxes withheld from those income sources during the year, that may be contributing to your end of the year balance due. If you aren't having any taxes taken out of pensions or social security, it may make sense to make a quick call to your pension issuer and have them withhold tax from those income sources. If you are already having taxes withheld from all income sources, and still finding you have a balance due at the end of the year, it the best way to avoid that result will be to complete a new Form W-4.
When both spouses are employed, it is best to sit down together and prepare two forms as the calculation is based on the income for both of you and make any changes for both of you at the same time. You can use the Turbo Tax W-4 Calculator to help you determine how to complete the form for each spouse. Generally the higher paid spouse will elect to have the additional taxes withheld from their paychecks, and the lower paid spouse will complete the W-4 as being married, but not have any additional taxes withheld.
Clarissa
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