Not too long ago we were hit owing a bunch (around $8k, which is a lot for us). With changes in the tax code our employer (public school district) didn't withhold enough and we were caught off guard. Since then we each have a few hundred extra withheld from each pay period. We used to be able to itemize, but they lowered the standard deduction which made that no longer an option. We'd be better off with the state (VA) if we could itemize, but since we have to do standard federal VA requires we do the same. We have always claimed zero currently have one DS in college. We still owed a few thousand last year.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always owed about 5k. Drives me crazy. Now I just have an extra $250 withheld a pay check.

Dh and I both make identical incomes of 135k and we have 3 kids so you’d think we wouldn’t owe. We have zero exemptions

Did you check married when filling out your W4? That often leads to underwitholding unless only 1 person works. If you both work you should withhold as a single or run the IRS withholding calculator and fill in additional withholding if needed.

I’ve always owed about 5k. Drives me crazy. Now I just have an extra $250 withheld a pay check.

Dh and I both make identical incomes of 135k and we have 3 kids so you’d think we wouldn’t owe. We have zero exemptions

We have had to have extra taken out for taxes for a number of years. We never know if we will still owe more at tax time.