How can I figure out if I'm having enough taken out of my paycheck for taxes post-marriage?

Question

Before I got married (early this year), I claimed one exemption on my tax forms for work. After marriage, since I wanted to make sure I had enough taken out (I'll make more than my husband this year), I changed to zero deductions. The fewer deductions you claim, the more money is taken out of your paycheck for taxes.

Problem is, I'm having less actual money taken out now than before I was married. I'm trying to estimate my taxes for next year to figure out why and if enough is being taken out (we'll file jointly), but I'm having a hard time. We plan on seeing a tax advisor in the fall to double check on things, especially since we'll both be in school next winter. But can anyone help me figure out why my paycheck has less taken out of it now? And help figure out if enough is being taken out? Maybe there are good calculators on a website out there? Thank you!

Answer 1

try irs.gov

Answer 2

If you don't think enough is being taken out, check with the individual at your company responsible for managing paychecks. If you want to pad it with extra insurance, then you can always request that a specific dollar amount be taken out. Or you can just take that amount yourself and set it aside in a saving account and let it earn interest.

Answer 3

take the tax rate and deduct from income

Answer 4

The first thing that comes to my mind why you are having less taken out after changing to zero deductions is that you changed your filing status from single to married on your Form W4 with your employer.  Contact your employer and see if they have on file what you meant.  

As for seeing if you are having enough taken out.  Take your 2007 return and your husbands 2007 return and complete a new 2007 return using both the income and deduction from both returns on the new joint return.  If after working up a joint return you owe then you might want to increase your withholding.  Don't file the new return, it is just to help you see if you have enough withholding.

Answer 5

paycheckcity.com