When you fill out a w4 and you have a child do you put one, Or can I still put 0?

Question

When you fill out a w4 and you have a child do you put one, Or can I still put 0?

Answer 1

You are always allowed to put LESS than you are entitled to.  If you do, they'll take out more from each paycheck, and you'll get the extra refunded to you at the end of the year.

Answer 2

Your best bet is to use the IRS withholding Calculator.

www.irs.gov  keyword:  Withholding calculator.

Answer 3

If you put 0 then more taxes will be withheld, you will get a larger refund, but all this means is that the IRS is holding your money for you instead of you getting a larger paycheck every week.  Use the W-4 calculator at www.irs.gov, or www.paycheckcity.com.  Generally a single parent can have 1 allowance for yourself, 1 for only 1 income household, and 2-3 for each qualifying child, for a total of 4 allowances on your W-4 form.  You can start with 2 for this year if you want to be conservative, and if you get a very large refund next year, you can increase your W-4 allowances 1 unit for each $500 refunded to you.  It depends on your income level partially.

Answer 4

You can put 0 if you want to get a larger refund at the end of the year, but that means that they will withhold more out of each pay check.