I have two jobs. how many deductions should i claim?

Question

I claim me and m daughter on my first job, how should i claim on the second job? Its not a lot of money so i dont want to be raped each week!

Answer 1

Thats pretty much correct. It really doesn't matter how many jobs you have, it matters how much your total income is - as well as how much you are making on each job per paycheck. The bigger the check, the more they will take out.  I would claim 0 on the second one - once you do your taxes and take into account the deductions and such, adjust your withholdings the following tax year to try to break even...unless of course you're one of those people that relies on the government giving you YOUR tax money back at the end of the year vs. keeping it yourself...but that's another topic!

Answer 2

You should claim 0 on the second job, and seriously consider DROPPING an allowance on the first job.  Your total tax withholdings will rise a bit, but that sure beats a tax BILL at the end of the year.

The problem is that your total taxes are based upon your total income.  Neither of your employers know what the other is paying you so they withhold taxes as if that job was your ONLY job.  The only way to avoid a tax bill at the end of the year is to REDUCE the number of allowances you claim on both jobs.