Your tax withholding strategy

[DaFace]

Just a poll for random discussion now that tax season is rolling around again...

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

We generally don't go out of our way to overpay, but we always do and get a decent return each year. I like getting the return because we almost always use the money on something that we've needed but didn't have the money for, or a trip, etc.

I'm not trying to be an ass, but why don't you do it yourself. I recognize the thrill of getting a big check. I also recognize that it is tough to save the money.

But I can't get on board with this type of saving. If you are a monthly paycheck guy, you can do the same thing. If you got $6000 return, just adjust your withholdings to get that money coming your way and then just set up a direct deposit to a savings. $6000 is serious money. $100 may not be worth jacking with but $6000? Wow.

If you NEED the money, you could have access to it. Kid gets sick, water heater blows up, car wreck, that type of thing, you can have access to the money. Even if it happened November-December, waiting till march-April would suck. You could theortetically borrow against it but then you have application fees and interest. I know the thought of .25% interest is not exciting at all. But NOT having access to $6000 is nowhere near worth seeing a big deposit come through.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

I'm not trying to be an ass, but why don't you do it yourself. I recognize the thrill of getting a big check. I also recognize that it is tough to save the money.

But I can't get on board with this type of saving. If you are a monthly paycheck guy, you can do the same thing. If you got $6000 return, just adjust your withholdings to get that money coming your way and then just set up a direct deposit to a savings. $6000 is serious money. $100 may not be worth jacking with but $6000? Wow.

If you NEED the money, you could have access to it. Kid gets sick, water heater blows up, car wreck, that type of thing, you can have access to the money. Even if it happened November-December, waiting till march-April would suck. You could theortetically borrow against it but then you have application fees and interest. I know the thought of .25% interest is not exciting at all. But NOT having access to $6000 is nowhere near worth seeing a big deposit come through.

Oh, I understand. But take into acct like Pest that we had huge deductions for child care, etc. I'm the type of person that I balance my spending around what I have - regardless of the amount.

Yeah, having an extra $200/paycheck would be nice, but I find that I get more done with a return than I would with a little bit of extra money per paycheck. Ideally I'd like to be in the $1,000 range - I'll never try to get even or even owe anything.

This year should be a good indicator of where we are - it will be the first year without any daycare, etc.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Oh, I understand. But take into acct like Pest that we had huge deductions for child care, etc. I'm the type of person that I balance my spending around what I have - regardless of the amount.

Yeah, having an extra $200/paycheck would be nice, but I find that I get more done with a return than I would with a little bit of extra money per paycheck. Ideally I'd like to be in the $1,000 range - I'll never try to get even or even owe anything.

This year should be a good indicator of where we are - it will be the first year without any daycare, etc.

I recognize the inclination to spend it if you hae it, but sock it away in a savings account and don't look at it.

[houstonwhodat]

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

This

Exactly, I claim exempt.