|
|
Tweet |
|
1-888-469-3003 |
Posted by : Daniel Stoica in (Blog, Federal Tax Forms, Income Tax Forms, Income Tax Withholding, Income Taxes, Tax Tips, Tax Withholding) On: June 1st, 2011
Is Your Tax Refund Too Big?
Tagged Under : 1040, accountants, American Opportunity Education Credit, capital, Daniel Stoica, dependent, Expanded Child Credit, government, Home-Buyer Credits, income, interest rates, interest-free, Internal Revenue Service, investment, investment loss, IRS, job, job loss, loans, recession, stock market, tax data, tax professional, tax refunds, Tax Return, tax withholding, taxes, W-4, withholding calculator, withholdings
More than half of the people who filed their taxes got refunds this year, a little more than usual, but the amount of those refunds has surged over the last ten years. Many Americans have overpaid on their taxes throughout the year to get a larger refund at tax time.
Last year’s refunds averaged over $3,000, and this year’s average is not far behind, according to the Internal Revenue Service. This is nearly twice as much as the $1,700 average from 1999.
Current tax data from the IRS shows the growth in refunds hasn’t been limited to any one income level. People who suffered job or investment losses during the recession overpaid inadvertently, giving them bigger refunds. The past decade also brought short-lived tax benefits where many taxpayers may not have adjusted their withholdings. A few examples include: the American Opportunity Education Credit; the Home-Buyer Credits; and the Expanded Child Credit.
Tax professionals and other financial advisors often frown on large tax refunds because they add up to interest-free loans to the government, thereby reducing investment capital in the same amounts. Many advise that it’s better to have the money in hand every month and invest it, spend it or just let it earn interest. To many Americans, thought, a $3,000 check looks a lot better than $3,000 coming out of their paychecks over the year.
If your refund seems too big or too small, fixing it usually means making changes to your W-4. It’s the form your employer uses to figure withholdings on your paycheck. Amending it involves three worksheets and two tables, which is sometimes overwhelming to the average person.
The W-4 can be a headache even for people familiar with the 1040. A withholding allowance isn’t the same thing as an exemption. It’s intimidating for even the most seasoned taxpayers. If you aren’t comfortable filling out your own W-4, don’t try. It’s better to hire a tax professional.
If you pay a professional to do your taxes, he or she will most likely give you free help with your W-4. Most accountants do offer it. H&R Block doesn’t charge to fill out your W-4, if you are using them to prepare your taxes. Turbotax has a W-4 feature as part of its software program. The IRS also offers a withholding calculator at the IRS website. Make sure you have your paycheck and your tax return when you have this done to avoid any complications or delays.
