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Tax help? Filling out my W-4

geno

geno

Lifer
I'm filling out my W-4 with my updated info (and my MA State tax sheet as well) and needed to make sure I'm filling this out properly. Can someone give me a little advice? My situation is as follows:

Unmarried, but live with my girlfriend. I work, she doesn't. We just had our first child a few weeks ago. I definitely fall below the $55,000 limit that's under G.

Looking at a W-4 (Here, PDF)

I'm entering a "1" under A
a "1" under B
and a "1" under D

do I also enter a "2" under G?

I've had tax issues in the past and I'm trying to avoid any further complications. What should my total allowances be? Will this be the same number of exemptions I'll have on my tax return? Any help is GREATLY appreciated, thanks!
 
Being unmarried means that you are playing with fire if you attempt to declare her as a dependent.

You should be claiming a total of 3 on the W4.

That will cover the Head-of-Household filing status for you.
 
Yeah I don't intend on claiming my girlfriend. We also live with her parents and rent from them. We all live under one roof in a one family home, so I don't think I should be filing as a Head-of-Household, right?
 
Yes, head of household means you have to be paying at least %50 of the expenses of the home. At least claiming the dependent will allow you the child credit, how much money do you make as well? Can you qualify for the Earned Income Credit
 
I make 32K before taxes, where does that put me? And no, I don't cover 50% of the expenses, so I won't file as a head-of-household...
 
Originally posted by: geno
I make 32K before taxes, where does that put me? And no, I don't cover 50% of the expenses, so I won't file as a head-of-household...
Click to expand...


Unmarried, but live with my girlfriend. I work, she doesn't
Click to expand...


How can you be living together, she is not working, yet you do not cover half the household.

Someone else pays the bills while you work?

You are paying rent - that covers you.

Someone is allowed to claim the child as a dependant - if it is yours; then normally, it would be you or the mother or jointly.

Given that you are paying rent (makes no difference if it is under tha table) you should be able to claim HOH if you desire to claim the child as a dependant.

Unless the grandparents are going to claim the child.


 
Even if 5 of us live under one roof in a one family home? The three of us are currently staying with her parents, and they are the ones covering more than 50% of what could be described as "household expenses". Maybe I don't have the correct idea of what "Head of Household" is....

Again, thanks so much for the help thus far! 🙂
 
Perhaps you should call a tax advisor or the IRS themselves and find out exactly what to do. Sounds like this could turn out to either an over or underpayment if not done right.
 
If you claim the child as a dependant; then you can file as HOH. W4 = 3.

If the grandparents claim the child, then you file as single. W4 = 1.

This is a discussion that all 4 adults need to have; who will claim the child.
 
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