Income tax filing

[jarj 13]

Hi vjers, 

i would like to ask about the correct status to be indicated on me and my husbands W4 IRS form. 

Me and my husband is MArried 01/M-1 on our W4. We are now married for 2 years. 

During the 1st year of tax filing as married, its only my income reflected. And so we were able to get a refund. On 2nd year of tax filing, we filed jointly (i think we have to because it has to reflect on the form for removal of condition purposes),we both have incomes but we paid tax. I think this is because we have high income?

how should we file or income tax for us to have a refund?

what should be our W4 status.?

we do not have any dependent. 

Please help. Thank you. 

 

 

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

There are calculators that help with what your W4 should claim.   You many end up with not only filing 0 deductions but adding additional amounts every week. 

[NikLR 13,220]

W4 is what they withdraw from your check. My husband has his as single so they withhold more tax but we generally get a sizable return.  I have mine as married 0,0 so they also withhold enough tax.

As long as you're not paying over 1k in taxes on your return it's generally okay.  We like getting a return though, it's like finding money in your sock drawer.  LOL 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Receiving a refund simply means that you overpaid on taxes to the government. Basically your money is loaned to the government interest free, and you then get it back. You would be better off trying to achieve as close to zero taxes as possible and investing the "extra money" somewhere it would generate more money. Most ppl aren't good at saving or don't want to look into how to invest, so they want to have a refund. I just wanted to point out that it doesn't make any financial sense to aim for that.

 

That said, if you look on the first page of the w4 C - it says to enter -0- if you have either a working spouse or more than one job. It also explains that this might help with having too little taxes withheld.

You will then figure your extra tax amount on the following section.

Edited September 27, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[NikLR 13,220]

My hubs is bad at saving and refuses to invest.  He has some weird ideals about making money with money.   But since he's already paid by the federal government, to us it doesn't matter that they're getting a free loan.  I know he would spend the money if he had it.  My w4 is different because I CAN save but I also don't like paying either.  Normally mine works out perfectly. 

Edited September 27, 2017 by NikLR

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

4 hours ago, NikLR said:

My hubs is bad at saving and refuses to invest.  He has some weird ideals about making money with money.

That is a bit funny - especially since about every company that ever sold anybody anything on credit or loan has no such ideals. It's IMO just living in the world as it works. 

 

4 hours ago, NikLR said:

But since he's already paid by the federal government, to us it doesn't matter that they're getting a free loan.

I don't get the reasoning - He's being paid a salary for the work he's doing and since they are being so nice(?) as to compensate him, he feels he should give something back by providing them with capital to generate interest (that he is really against anyone doing, but that happens whether he likes it or not) on said earned money to make the government more money?

 

So in essence, he is being paid by the institution that is making money with his earned money (in extension) - meaning he's not only losing the money, but really also betraying his own ideals at the same time. Just in a passive way, so it feels better  

 

4 hours ago, NikLR said:

 

I know he would spend the money if he had it.  My w4 is different because I CAN save but I also don't like paying either.  Normally mine works out perfectly. 

 

There are investments where you aren't able to just up and spend it (I'm sure you know this - just pointing it out)

I suppose you are the financially level headed one in the relationship then  

 

PS. Not trying to bash your hubby in any way - I just know some ppl who think the same way and I never could understand it

[NikLR 13,220]

He has refused to invest in stocks, etc...   He doesnt care what others do, but what he does is different.  I can blame him for that kind of thinking either even.  Basically, in his head, they are keeping his money in a savings account for him that isn't earning him interest.  Since the interest earned in a normal savings is minimal, especially on less than 3k a year, it doesnt particularily matter.

 

He could also earn an extra $500 or so a month by claiming VA benefits.  He has issues that stem specifically from being in the military, working directly on flight lines and being deployed.  However, again I can't fault him, he feels those issues and any others were part of the bargin when he enlisted. 

 

Money is NOT, never has been, nor ever will be a motivator in my husband's life.  He makes sure he provides as he feels he should do, he has some fun money, and saves for retirement.  The less he has to think about it, the better. But my ex was very good at saving, spending, investing, etc... to the point where he felt he could buy affection.  So while I wish my hubs was better at saving, (abd that I was too) I'm happy that money isn't his, or my, motivator in life. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

8 hours ago, NikLR said:

So while I wish my hubs was better at saving, (abd that I was too) I'm happy that money isn't his, or my, motivator in life. 

Not that those two things stand opposed. Money is not my motivator, I see it as the freedom to do what you enjoy doing with the person/people you love. But I understand that you have lived with the opposite with your ex and that's the situation you are comparing to. As I said I'm not bashing your hubby thanks for trying to explain the background to his rationale - I can understand where he is coming from,  but ofc, still don't agree with the substance of his conclusions. Whatever works for each person. I just wanted to point out in the thread that aiming for a big refund doesn't make financial sense - each person might have other reasons for which it makes sense to them that are non-financial ofc

Edited September 28, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[NikLR 13,220]

I agree with you.  Becoming more fiscally intelligent and savvy would be better than trying to rely on a return.

[jarj 13]

On 9/27/2017 at 10:42 PM, NigeriaorBust said:

There are calculators that help with what your W4 should claim.   You many end up with not only filing 0 deductions but adding additional amounts every week. 

How is this?

[jarj 13]

On 9/27/2017 at 10:44 PM, NikLR said:

W4 is what they withdraw from your check. My husband has his as single so they withhold more tax but we generally get a sizable return.  I have mine as married 0,0 so they also withhold enough tax.

As long as you're not paying over 1k in taxes on your return it's generally okay.  We like getting a return though, it's like finding money in your sock drawer.  LOL 

Did your or you husband recently on conditonal green card too?so you are married 0 and your husband is single?and you filed jointly?

[NikLR 13,220]

9 minutes ago, jarj said:

Did your or you husband recently on conditonal green card too?so you are married 0 and your husband is single?and you filed jointly?

I removed my conditions last year (as per my timeline.)

Yes we file our tax returns jointly. 

I put married 0 0 on my W4 (we have state tax) he has single 0 0 on his W4.

 

Your W4 merely determines how much tax they take off your pay checks, not your filing status.