How is this even legal?

[kelpdiver 2]

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Actually, you're claiming allowances, not dependents. The IRS doesn't give a shit how many allowances you claim, so long as they get their money.

That what I was told on another Russian forum as well. But in my opinion it's flawed since the number of allowances you're supposed to put should be based on "from line H above or from the applicable worksheet on page 2". So I don't see how could you legally put a random number there, and facing a potential perjury charge to save $100 sounds like complete waste to me. However I'm not a lawyer, and I know some people who did exactly that, and are not in jail (yet?), so one can claim "it works" too.

But claiming you're married while you're not is pretty obvious lie.

If you underpay by too large a margin, you get hit with a penalty. For the Fed return, it's triggered if your total payments is less than 90% of the bill (unless you've already exceeded 100-106% of last year's tax bill). CA is probably in line with these values.

I don't think there's any risk of perjury - you just may pay extra if you overdo the allowances.

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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Actually, you're claiming allowances, not dependents. The IRS doesn't give a shit how many allowances you claim, so long as they get their money.

That what I was told on another Russian forum as well. But in my opinion it's flawed since the number of allowances you're supposed to put should be based on "from line H above or from the applicable worksheet on page 2". So I don't see how could you legally put a random number there

[georgerussia 0]

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If you underpay by too large a margin, you get hit with a penalty. For the Fed return, it's triggered if your total payments is less than 90% of the bill (unless you've already exceeded 100-106% of last year's tax bill). CA is probably in line with these values.

I know (the first year I worked in U.S I was on 1099, and had no idea I need to make quarterly payments; the penalty was pretty insignificant though). However this seem to be a different case, and you're completely fine if you paid your taxes at the end of tax year.

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I don't think there's any risk of perjury - you just may pay extra if you overdo the allowances.

This is where I'm not sure.

* Don't pray for me if you wanna help - just send me a check. *

[mnealtx 0]

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I don't think there's any risk of perjury - you just may pay extra if you overdo the allowances.

This is where I'm not sure.

I've known several people that have been tagged with penalties due to underpayment - none have gone to trial over perjury.

It takes some pretty major shenanigans to get fed.gov to take you to trial - they'll just garnishee your wages to get their money, first.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706