W4

[Sara_solace]

Hello,

I am filing as married. My husband is also filing as married. Do we put zero dependents over the age of 17, 1 dependent, or 2 dependents? I would want less money taken out of each paycheck versus the government taking out more money each paycheck. Thanks. 

[Sara_solace]

To clarify, my question would be do I put 1 dependent and my husband puts 1 dependent on his w4 or do we both put zero or do we both put 2? We have no kids and we only live with each other. 

[Sara_solace]

We live in California by the way. 

[marctu · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the question.   If you want less money taken out of your paycheck(s), you should claim all the potential dependents, depending on their age, that you are eligible to claim on your 2024 tax return on the W-4 in Step 3 on one of the W-4s, which is typically the one with the higher earning job.  On the other W-4 you would not put any dependents in Step 3.

You should also in Step 1 (c) check the Married filing jointly box.   You would also want to check the box in Step 2 (c) on one of the W-4s. 

[Sara_solace]

Thanks! I am the one with the higher paying job. Would I put 1 meaning my husband is my dependent or myself is the dependent? He would put zero on his? 

[marctu · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the follow up question.   You can't claim someone as a dependent for the tax year unless that person is your qualifying dependent: either a qualifying relative or qualifying child.  In your case a husband cannot be your dependent and vice versa.