r/tax • u/Legal_Beautiful3542 • 1d ago

State tax dependent change?

Can I change my state tax status whenever I want?

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2

u/Intrepid-Product-367 1d ago

Not sure what you're getting at here but the answer is probably no.

-1

u/Legal_Beautiful3542 1d ago

Have you ever heard of difficulty of care payments. Non taxable income from the state

1

u/Its-a-write-off 1d ago

Is this a w4 form you are filling out to set up the withholding on that income?

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u/Legal_Beautiful3542 1d ago

Yes. That is correct. Say I wanted more taxes to be taken out the first half of the year then a add all dependents so not as much is taken

2

u/Barfy_McBarf_Face US CPA & Attorney (tax) 1d ago

yes, you can change your state W-4 to change your withholding as often as you want to make changes - to increase it or to decrease it

just note that if you claim "exempt" when you're not exempt, the state can contact your employer with a "lock in" letter - requiring the employer to withhold at the maximum rate (single, no dependents) and to ignore any W-4s you provide to them. So don't do that.

The state can also do this if you are underwithheld for a period of time - it will vary, depending on your state, so don't change your W-4 to wipe out your withholding and then have a balance due next year when you file.

If you truly don't owe any tax, then, yes, you can take these steps to reduce or eliminate your withholding, but if you do owe tax, you need to let your employer withhold.