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vivfran Explorer

vivfran   64

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Venezuela
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Posted

Hello!

 

I got my green card through marriage last November and i just got a job! Should I be filling out my W-4 as married filing jointly or separate? Also, am I getting a higher tax withhold because I am married? Help!

arken Mentor

arken   4,197

Posted
Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted

You can put anything on w-4  depending on whether you want to have your withholding in larger or smaller amount. Tax return next time will take care of it accordingly.

Spouse:

2015-06-16: I-130 Sent

2015-08-17: I-130 approved

2015-09-23: NVC received file

2015-10-05: NVC assigned Case number, Invoice ID & Beneficiary ID

2016-06-30: DS-261 completed, AOS Fee Paid, WL received

2016-07-05: Received IV invoice, IV Fee Paid

2016-07-06: DS-260 Submitted

2016-07-07: AOS and IV Package mailed

2016-07-08: NVC Scan

2016-08-08: Case Complete

2017-06-30: Interview, approved

2017-07-04: Visa in hand

2017-08-01: Entry to US

.

.

.

.

Myself:

2016-05-10: N-400 Sent

2016-05-16: N-400 NOA1

2016-05-26: Biometrics

2017-01-30: Interview

2017-03-02: Oath Ceremony

vivfran Explorer

vivfran   64

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Venezuela
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted
1 minute ago, arken said:

You can put anything on w-4  depending on whether you want to have your withholding in larger or smaller amount. Tax return next time will take care of it accordingly.

If I want my withholdings smaller, would I file separate? 

JFH Grand Master

JFH   12,190

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

It’s a personal choice whether you want to overpay or risk underpaying your taxes on each check. No one can advise on that.

 

 

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

JFH Grand Master

JFH   12,190

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, vivfran said:

If I want my withholdings smaller, would I file separate? 

Edited...

 

You are referring to the top section of the W-4. Again, that’s personal choice. Seek advice from a CPA to explain how it affects your circumstances. 

 

The W-4 is for the employer to set the deductions. You must put that you are married if you are. But as to how many allowance you claim at this stage is your choice.  

Edited by JFH

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

arken Mentor

arken   4,197

Posted
Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted
1 minute ago, vivfran said:

If I want my withholdings smaller, would I file separate? 

You are not filing anything. Checking married will have smaller withholding, checking Single or married but withhold at single rate will have larger withholding. Either you will end up paying IRS, get smaller refund or get a huge refund when you do the tax return in 2021. 

Spouse:

2015-06-16: I-130 Sent

2015-08-17: I-130 approved

2015-09-23: NVC received file

2015-10-05: NVC assigned Case number, Invoice ID & Beneficiary ID

2016-06-30: DS-261 completed, AOS Fee Paid, WL received

2016-07-05: Received IV invoice, IV Fee Paid

2016-07-06: DS-260 Submitted

2016-07-07: AOS and IV Package mailed

2016-07-08: NVC Scan

2016-08-08: Case Complete

2017-06-30: Interview, approved

2017-07-04: Visa in hand

2017-08-01: Entry to US

.

.

.

.

Myself:

2016-05-10: N-400 Sent

2016-05-16: N-400 NOA1

2016-05-26: Biometrics

2017-01-30: Interview

2017-03-02: Oath Ceremony

arken Mentor

arken   4,197

Posted
Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted
7 minutes ago, WandY said:

Consult a tax expert, not an immigration blog. Spend the money and hire a CPA. He/she will save you money and headaches.

Spending money on CPA for W-4 is equivalent to spending money on SAT instructor to teach ABC for a 2 year old.

Spouse:

2015-06-16: I-130 Sent

2015-08-17: I-130 approved

2015-09-23: NVC received file

2015-10-05: NVC assigned Case number, Invoice ID & Beneficiary ID

2016-06-30: DS-261 completed, AOS Fee Paid, WL received

2016-07-05: Received IV invoice, IV Fee Paid

2016-07-06: DS-260 Submitted

2016-07-07: AOS and IV Package mailed

2016-07-08: NVC Scan

2016-08-08: Case Complete

2017-06-30: Interview, approved

2017-07-04: Visa in hand

2017-08-01: Entry to US

.

.

.

.

Myself:

2016-05-10: N-400 Sent

2016-05-16: N-400 NOA1

2016-05-26: Biometrics

2017-01-30: Interview

2017-03-02: Oath Ceremony

vivfran Explorer

vivfran   64

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Venezuela
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted
1 minute ago, arken said:

You are not filing anything. Checking married will have smaller withholding, checking Single or married but withhold at single rate will have larger withholding. Either you will end up paying IRS, get smaller refund or get a huge refund when you do the tax return in 2021. 

Okay so lets say I put on my W-4 married filing jointly. But my tax withholdings are soooo high its not even normal. What should I do to decrease it? 

arken Mentor

arken   4,197

Posted
Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted
3 minutes ago, vivfran said:

Okay so lets say I put on my W-4 married filing jointly. But my tax withholdings are soooo high its not even normal. What should I do to decrease it? 

Forget about your past tax withholdings, for this new job, if you select Married filing jointly option, your future tax withholdings will not be higher than selecting Single or Married filing separately.

Spouse:

2015-06-16: I-130 Sent

2015-08-17: I-130 approved

2015-09-23: NVC received file

2015-10-05: NVC assigned Case number, Invoice ID & Beneficiary ID

2016-06-30: DS-261 completed, AOS Fee Paid, WL received

2016-07-05: Received IV invoice, IV Fee Paid

2016-07-06: DS-260 Submitted

2016-07-07: AOS and IV Package mailed

2016-07-08: NVC Scan

2016-08-08: Case Complete

2017-06-30: Interview, approved

2017-07-04: Visa in hand

2017-08-01: Entry to US

.

.

.

.

Myself:

2016-05-10: N-400 Sent

2016-05-16: N-400 NOA1

2016-05-26: Biometrics

2017-01-30: Interview

2017-03-02: Oath Ceremony

vivfran Explorer

vivfran   64

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Venezuela
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted
2 minutes ago, arken said:

Forget about your past tax withholdings, for this new job, if you select Married filing jointly option, your future tax withholdings will not be higher than selecting Single or Married filing separately.

I understand! My question is, how can I decrease the withholdings? They are higher than the percentage in my state. 

arken Mentor

arken   4,197

Posted
Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted
10 minutes ago, vivfran said:

I understand! My question is, how can I decrease the withholdings? They are higher than the percentage in my state. 

It’s not up to you to do that, you just select the options that are applicable to you in w4 and your tax will be withheld accordingly.

Spouse:

2015-06-16: I-130 Sent

2015-08-17: I-130 approved

2015-09-23: NVC received file

2015-10-05: NVC assigned Case number, Invoice ID & Beneficiary ID

2016-06-30: DS-261 completed, AOS Fee Paid, WL received

2016-07-05: Received IV invoice, IV Fee Paid

2016-07-06: DS-260 Submitted

2016-07-07: AOS and IV Package mailed

2016-07-08: NVC Scan

2016-08-08: Case Complete

2017-06-30: Interview, approved

2017-07-04: Visa in hand

2017-08-01: Entry to US

.

.

.

.

Myself:

2016-05-10: N-400 Sent

2016-05-16: N-400 NOA1

2016-05-26: Biometrics

2017-01-30: Interview

2017-03-02: Oath Ceremony

Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,979

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted
51 minutes ago, vivfran said:

I understand! My question is, how can I decrease the withholdings? They are higher than the percentage in my state. 

more exemptions equals less amount deducted.......However, there are tax penalties for not withholding enough during the year.

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Wuozopo Veteran

Wuozopo   4,293

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
 Timeline
Posted
2 hours ago, vivfran said:

I understand! My question is, how can I decrease the withholdings? They are higher than the percentage in my state. 

The new W4 is designed to figure out your situation better than previous versions. The IRS suggests that the spouse making the most money should fill out a new W4 as well and do those part 2 calculations based on the higher wage.  That’s probably better than trying to manipulate yours. 
 

Try their FAQs for more info. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-on-the-2020-form-w-4

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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