Need help with W-4s

[Tintin and Mike 127]

I wasn't too sure if I've created this thread in a right forum but Moderators, feel free to move if you must

Mike came in to the US in the beginning of Dec last year with K-1 and we got married last part of the month. I've added him to my work benefits but I have not made changes on my W-4s. It's my first marriage and I've never filled out any of it so I have no idea how to populate the lines. It's more complicated than I initially thought. I'll have my taxes done next weekend, I could ask my tax lady to help me with the form but I could use few tips here in VJ as well.

Few questions here (some could be common sense but I just want to make sure)

On the Federal Form Item A Enter "1" for yourself if no one else can claim you as dependent. Do I put "1" here since I've always used "0" here. (I could be doing this all wrong all these years )

Item B Enter "1" if You are married, have only one job and your spouse does not work. Since he's not authorized to work yet, then he's unemployed. Enter "1" here as well?

Item C Enter "1" for your spouse. But you may choose to enter "0." if you are married and have either working spouse or more than one job. (Entering "0" may help you avoid having too little tax withheld. Do I enter "1" here or "0" if I may choose?

Line 3 there's option of Single, Married, and Married but withhold at higher Single rate. Also right under it there's a Note: If married but legally separated or spouse is a nonresident alien, check Single box. Does this statement applies to us since we're still in the process of AOS and have only completed Biometrics just last week.

For California Form:

For Filing Status Withholding Allowance, do I choose Single or Married (since Mike's still not technically a resident of the state yet)

Do I claim myself and my spouse here as well? So enter "1" on both?

Also on a side note, he only got SSN.

Appreciate all the replies.

Edited January 26, 2013 by Tintin and Mike

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Well I can't edit anymore and just checked out few threads about it.

Is it just smart to just leave my withholdings as is, S-0 for Federal and S-0 for State since Taxes and Immigration are two separate entity and more beneficial come tax season?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Well I can't edit anymore and just checked out few threads about it.

Is it just smart to just leave my withholdings as is, S-0 for Federal and S-0 for State since Taxes and Immigration are two separate entity and more beneficial come tax season?

If you consider loaning your money interest free "beneficial" then yes. The more exemptions you claim the more of YOUR money you get to keep from your paycheck. In my opinion it is better to OWE a couple hundred dollars than to get back a couple hundred dollars. In our case we always get money back because of education credits and child credits.

If I were you, I would claim "2"

[Tintin and Mike 127]

If you consider loaning your money interest free "beneficial" then yes. The more exemptions you claim the more of YOUR money you get to keep from your paycheck. In my opinion it is better to OWE a couple hundred dollars than to get back a couple hundred dollars. In our case we always get money back because of education credits and child credits.

If I were you, I would claim "2"

Yeah didn't realized I was doing that since the beginning of time

So I'll enter "1" for each line then that applies to us so that should up to at least "2"?

[Lizz & Alvin 2]

I wasn't too sure if I've created this thread in a right forum but Moderators, feel free to move if you must

Mike came in to the US in the beginning of Dec last year with K-1 and we got married last part of the month. I've added him to my work benefits but I have not made changes on my W-4s. It's my first marriage and I've never filled out any of it so I have no idea how to populate the lines. It's more complicated than I initially thought. I'll have my taxes done next weekend, I could ask my tax lady to help me with the form but I could use few tips here in VJ as well.

Few questions here (some could be common sense but I just want to make sure)

On the Federal Form Item A Enter "1" for yourself if no one else can claim you as dependent. Do I put "1" here since I've always used "0" here. (I could be doing this all wrong all these years )

Item B Enter "1" if You are married, have only one job and your spouse does not work. Since he's not authorized to work yet, then he's unemployed. Enter "1" here as well?

Item C Enter "1" for your spouse. But you may choose to enter "0." if you are married and have either working spouse or more than one job. (Entering "0" may help you avoid having too little tax withheld. Do I enter "1" here or "0" if I may choose?

Line 3 there's option of Single, Married, and Married but withhold at higher Single rate. Also right under it there's a Note: If married but legally separated or spouse is a nonresident alien, check Single box. Does this statement applies to us since we're still in the process of AOS and have only completed Biometrics just last week.

For California Form:

For Filing Status Withholding Allowance, do I choose Single or Married (since Mike's still not technically a resident of the state yet)

Do I claim myself and my spouse here as well? So enter "1" on both?

Also on a side note, he only got SSN.

Appreciate all the replies.

Hello!

I work in HR and deal with W-4 questions all the time. You can put whatever you want on your W4's... all it does it determine how much taxes will be withheld from your check. You will still have the same tax liability at the end of the year and depending on how much was withheld and what your status is when filing taxes, you will either owe or receive a refund. There is a calculator the IRS provides to help you figure out how many allowances you can enter without having to owe back at the end of the year. Here's the link... http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/IRS-Withholding-Calculator

Hope this helps. You shouldn't worry about the status of your spounse now, but what he will be when you are actually going to file taxes. Use that information in the calculator and is will tell you what you should enter on the W-4 so you won't owe anything at the end of the year. If you like getting a refund, enter a little bit lower number.