Paycheck Checkup

Families with two incomes or someone who has multiple jobs  may be more vulnerable to being underwithheld or overwithheld following major law changes. The Withholding Calculator can help navigate the complexities of multiple-employer tax situations and determine the correct amount of tax for each employer to withhold.

Any changes that a part-year employee makes to their withholding can affect each paycheck in a larger way than employees who work year-round. The Withholding Calculator can help taxpayers with part-year employment estimate their income, credits, adjustments and deductions more accurately and check if they have the right amount of tax withheld for their situation.

The law expanded and made significant changes to the Child Tax Credit. It also suspended the deduction for personal exemptions. Parents and caregivers should do a Paycheck Checkup to determine how these changes could affect their tax situation.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act added a new credit. Dependents who can’t be claimed for the Child Tax Credit may qualify taxpayers for the Credit for Other Dependents. This is a credit of up to $500 per qualifying person. Parents and caregivers should do a Paycheck Checkup to determine how these changes could affect their tax situation.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled standard deductions and changed several itemized deductions. Some individuals who formerly itemized may now find it more beneficial to take the standard deduction. This change could affect how much a taxpayer should have their employer withhold from their pay. Even those who continue to itemize deductions should check their withholding because of these changes.

A Paycheck Checkup is especially important for taxpayers with high incomes and complex returns because they are likely affected by more of the changes in the law than people with simpler returns. A Paycheck Checkup is also important for taxpayers who make quarterly estimated tax payments to cover other sources of income or those who are subject to the self-employment tax or alternative minimum tax.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made major changes to the tax law. Any of these far-reaching changes could affect refund amounts. The IRS encourages everyone , including those who typically receive large refunds, to do a Paycheck Checkup to make sure they have the right amount of tax taken out of their pay. 

Taxpayers who owed additional tax when they filed their last federal tax return can avoid another unexpected tax bill next year by doing a Paycheck Checkup.