- quote -

I agree.

--
Alan
http://taxtopics.net

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- quote -

Just a note that the tie-breaker rule does not come into
play unless the couple cannot agree on who claims a kid.

- quote -

__
Art Kamlet ArtKamlet [at] AOL.com Columbus OH K2PZH

<< ================================================== ===== > << The foregoing is intended for educational purposes only > << and does NOT constitute legal OR professional advice. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2005) - All rights reserved. > << ================================================== ===== >

hello wrote:

- quote -

I think you are confusing the dependents you claim for
withholding purposes (on Form W-4) and the exemptions on
your actual return (Form 1040). Other responses to your
post would seem to confirm this.

Technically, you should not be able to claim dependents with
your employer if your wife claims them with hers. However,
you should use the worksheet provided with the W-4 to
calculate your withholding allowances.

How you claim withholding allowances does not control how
you file your return.

Lanny K. Williams, CPA
Nawarat, Williams & Co., Ltd.
Income Tax Services for Expatriate Americans

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"hello" <goaway[at]nunya.com> wrote:

- quote -

You are asking about form W-4 right? You can claim four
between you split any way you wish, although if one of you
earn more than the other it is usually better for the one
who earns the least to claim most of them. So enough will
be withheld by the end of the year.

You really need to read through the instructions on the form
W-4. Sometimes you can claim extra exemptions for thing
like high itemized deduction. Also you do not have to claim
all your dependent exemptions on Form W-4. You can even
claim single if you are married.

W-4 is not a tax return. At the end of the year you file
your 1040, that is a tax return. And it is almost always
best to file married filing jointly if you can.

Jo

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- quote -

I'm confused by your post so I will merely explain the rules.

Each taxpayer gets to claim their own personal exemption
whether you file a joint return or file married separate
returns. Only one taxpayer can claim an exemption for a
dependent. If you file a joint return and your two under
age 8 children meet the definition of qualified children
then you would claim two dependency exemptions on that joint
return. If you and your wife file separately, the
tie-breaker rule says the parent who has custody for the
longest period in the year gets the dependency exemption.
If the children live with you both for an equal period of
time, then the one of you with the highest AGI on your
individual tax return gets the dependency exemption.

All told if there are two married parents and two dependent
children there can only be a total of 4 exemptions on the
tax returns filed by the parents.

--
Alan
http://taxtopics.net

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Generally filing a joint return is better. A husband and
wife claim their two dependent children plus a personal
exemption each. You are legally married and I assume you
live together; therefore you can NOT file single or head of
household.

Nan, EA in LA

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My wife and I have 2 children under the age of 8.

My wife wants to claim 3 on her return and I am wondering if
I can do the same or can only one of us claim 3. I have
been claiming 1 for myself and she has been claiming the
other 2.

If we both can claim them...then do we have to file married
filing jointly or married filing separately.

Thanks,

Sam

<< ================================================== ===== > << The foregoing is intended for educational purposes only > << and does NOT constitute legal OR professional advice. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2005) - All rights reserved. > << ================================================== ===== >