Getting a return or not is irrelevant. In your case, being single, you could claim zero, make some pre-payments, and get a large tax return. Or claim 2, and get reamed at tax time.11 Bravo wrote:
i didnt. i had to pay 98 dollars this year.
In my case, it's a balancing act between Federal and State taxes. Managing my AGI with the feds is fairly easy, such that my contributions are such that come tax time, I'm close to zero credit/debit. Problem is State taxes, which in Cali, not all my fed deductions apply. At times, I end up paying some Alternative Minimum Tax penalty in addition to writing a large amount to Sacramento. Reach a certain income threshold, and deductions like child credit get phased out.
As FEOS has stated for those 40% who end up not paying any taxes, make less money, and the government will actually pay you to have more and more kids. In fact, the more kids you have, the more benefits who qualify for like housing assistance and home repairs.