Posted on May 31, 2016
What should someone like myself, claim on their taxes?
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I'm fully aware most of you aren't tax professionals, but I still want to ask. I'm 21, no dependents, and I have rent, insurance and a car payment. Im currently claiming 0, but I'm thinking of claiming 1 and investing the difference. Would you recommend this?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
A few thoughts:
- Tax Refund. Anyone who receives a tax refund at the end of the year and is excited about "free money" is ignorant. What they really did was give the government a no interest loan of their money throughout the year.
- Number dependents. I personally do not believe the number of dependents claimed should be an actual number based upon real dependents but rather should be a deliberate and proactive decision based upon your personal goals for taxes. My personal goal is to either be at zero balance (owe nothing, receive nothing at tax time) or to owe the US Government a bit of money. I therefore claim the number of dependents required to meet this goal.
- Financial Professional. Even if your taxes are easy (no dependents, no property, no special investment vehicles), you should still consult with a financial professional (not a tax professional) in order to develop an overall financial plan and then figure out your taxes to support this plan.
- Tax Refund. Anyone who receives a tax refund at the end of the year and is excited about "free money" is ignorant. What they really did was give the government a no interest loan of their money throughout the year.
- Number dependents. I personally do not believe the number of dependents claimed should be an actual number based upon real dependents but rather should be a deliberate and proactive decision based upon your personal goals for taxes. My personal goal is to either be at zero balance (owe nothing, receive nothing at tax time) or to owe the US Government a bit of money. I therefore claim the number of dependents required to meet this goal.
- Financial Professional. Even if your taxes are easy (no dependents, no property, no special investment vehicles), you should still consult with a financial professional (not a tax professional) in order to develop an overall financial plan and then figure out your taxes to support this plan.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Good advice! The only thing I would add is use TSP for the extra. Also, since his return is so simple, go with using existing programs that are available for free and around $10 or so, works out well. that part you may not agree with.
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I have claimed one before using Mypay. All that means is that you will see your money now then later. At the time I file taxes I pretty much only get back $400 which really isn't too much. I'm paying for a car, motorcycle and insurance. It's ok I mean. I can save but it's really like $200 to $300 a pay check if I don't go out and eat dfac.
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The answer to your question is that it is a personal decision. At the end of the year you will file a tax return and the amount of taxes you will pay will be the same regardless of when you paid them. One pitfall is that if you wind up not paying enough through the year you could face a penalty and the penalties can be very significant.
So do you want to pay more each month and assure no additional taxes at year's end or pay less and maybe have additional to pay in April?
Your choice.
So do you want to pay more each month and assure no additional taxes at year's end or pay less and maybe have additional to pay in April?
Your choice.
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