Why does the federal government tax the American people if we get tax returns? I never understood this. I got almost ALL of my taxes back early this year. What is the point?

They tax everyone over a certain age who earns over a certain income. When we file our returns, they credit or debit our accounts the amount we should have been taxed during the year. If we've paid more than they determine we should have, we get it back. If we've paid less, we owe.

The vast majority of people not only do not get a check back from the IRS, but owe even more at the end of the year. Enjoy your returns now while you still get them

The point is that since your employers are withholding too much tax from your pay, you need before the end of November to file a new W-4 form so that they withhold less up front only to be returned to you later. Also, next year you, not the various levels of government, can put in the bank for interest the extra bread which you will receive.

It is possible to claim 0 dependents (omit yourself) and to have to owe tax with a drop in the number of dependents listed on the W-4 form.

At the very least, check whether your W-4 on file with your employers is accurate. It can't help, and it does help to remind those who prepare your pay who you are so that they know who you are when a bigger error occurs.

Well, lucky you . Last year, my employer wasn't withholding enough tax and I screwed up by not catching it - I and many of my coworkers ended up owing just shy of the limit before you get penalties. Needless to say, I pay more attention to my W-4 now. If you want to avoid having to pay a lot at the end orhaving your money tied up in the government until after tax day, make sure your W-4 is correct. The IRS has a handy tools for fixing your withholdings if it isn't here

An additional note of caution is to allow for such additional income as bank interest or gambling income, if such other things apply to you. You can improve your W-4 Form, but you are always merely estimating or projecting your next year's complete (not just job income) financial picture.

If withholding were lawfully "required", your employer would not need your authorization to do so. If law required your employer to withhold, that same law would authorize your employer to do so. The fact that your employer needs you to sign a W-4 form is proof that there is no other authority for withholding except for yours. Your employer cannot lawfully withhold without your signature and authority to do so.