@cyates2021wrote:Late last year, I followed the W4 instructions, entered that both my spouse and I have jobs, that we have 2 dependent children, and arrived at $4,000 for dependents ($2,000 per dependent). After realizing my employer had not withheld any federal taxes all year, I inquired and they said that because my dependent amount is set to $4,000, no federal taxes have come out". Why would this happen? My spouse entered the same info. on her W4 and she had taxes withheld each pay period.
First, it might be correct to have no tax withheld, depending on your overall income. We can't tell without more information.
Second, you should generally not file the same W-4 as your spouse. You and your spouse need to follow all the W-4 instructions and worksheets for married with more than one job, not just the front page.
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf
Generally, you only list your children on the job with highest income, look carefully at step 3 of the form, also make sure you either use the online calculator or check the box for "married with 2 jobs" in step 2.
You will want to prepare new W-4s for all your jobs, following the instructions or use the IRS online calculator. You may owe tax for 2021 if you claimed the same two dependents on both W-4s.
