My wife is starting a new job and has to file a w-4. I am working and we normally file Married filing jointly. How should she fill out her w-4?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
December 17, 2023
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TurboTax Online

Best answer by DoninGA

Ok, so even though my wife is not single for the purposes of tax withholding she should complete the W-4 as a singe person. I keep my w-4 the same, claiming my kids as dependents. Do I count my wife as a dependent? or since she has a job do I drop her as a dependent?

Entering herself as Single on the W-4 should suffice so that jointly you will have enough taxes withheld when reporting your income on the 2024 tax return filing jointly.

Also, a spouse is never claimed as a dependent, on a W-4 or on a tax return.

DoninGA

Employee

Usually the spouse with the lower income will complete the W-4 as Single.

But use this IRS tax withholding estimator for guidance - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

rubezahlAuthor

Thanks for the link. However, the estimator's first question is how to file. I don't know how she should file. We are married and have 2 kids, not a special tax case. How do most other folks file the w-4 so that they either break even or get a small refund at tax time?

DoninGA

Employee

When you are married in most all cases from a tax standpoint you should be filing as Married Filing Jointly even if one spouse has little or no income. Your tax brackets are higher and you are eligible for more tax credits versus filing separately.