Acknowledge their frustration. Empathize that it must be causing them distress.

[removed]

Remember going to a seminar during MBA program. Presenter spoke about networking, and there was a networking event. Her advices sounded exactly like. Let me find out if this person can help me. If not move on. Screw that crap. If I talk with someone I want to learn and talk. Not see what they can help me with, and if not move on.

So if I put at $20 withheld on my w-4, that’s better than a $0?

Awesome! Thank you for the lesson it’s good to know all this! One more thing. I usually use turbo tax and I’m most certain I don’t owe the irs anything. But turbo says I owe them $79. Is that turbo tax’s fees and such or is that what I owe the irs?

[removed]

Dont overthink it

You don't have to understand it and you may never do so. Accept..it(?) as it is and that's that.

If nothing changed as to how you’re withholding your paychecks then the other explanation is that the tax codes changed. I heard that this year tax credits were reduced so that may explain. I’m not a tax professional but just check.

Yes - the idea is that you want to hold onto your money, rather than overpaying the government in taxes, only to have the government refund you the overpayment at the end of the year / when you file your taxes. You keep your money.

Yup. In low interest periods, there’s no difference. In high interest periods, it’s sometimes more profitable to keep the money yourself and collect interest on it.

But either way, you’re going to have to pay it, so don’t spend it.

Who said I was organized

Nothing. Just listen. They likely just need a sounding board to get something off their chest. Or just say stuff like “that really sucks” or “I’m sorry you have to deal with that”

Can you put in any address? Like if you wanna see what your ex is up to?

[removed]

Oh okay I see. It’s more like you decide if you want your money during your paychecks and owe nothing at the end, or withhold more to get more of a refund. Is that kinda correct?

Yup. If you pay nothing up front, it’s up to you to hold back what you think you’ll need to pay at tax time.

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

All of my homes are in southern california where this doesn't matter hahaha

Why would be different if I kept that $0. Would I end up owing money instead of getting more at the end of the year?

Seems like it.

I generally get my company to do standard witholdings and then I donate to charity and top up my tax free savings, and so end up getting a nice chunk of money back each year. But that’s just money that really shouldn’t have been withheld in the first place.

Good to hear!

So it’s best to get no money and get more value during your paychecks?

That's a fair enough reason to wait, as they are a little more predictable. Though it also depends on you ability to refinance. You can get away with a a slightly higher rate now, knowing interest rate will fall and you'll be able to refinance at a better time. Again it all depends.

I put $20 in the extra withheld on a W-4 so you’re saying that was about right to put?