Sorry you're dealing with this! Just to add another perspective - double-check if you filled out a new W-4 when you started this job. The W-4 form changed completely in 2020 and no longer uses allowances. If you're using an old W-4 form from before 2020, the employer might have misinterpreted something. Or it could just be a data entry error where someone typed "9" instead of "0" or "1". For your bonuses, the standard supplemental wage withholding is 22% federal, not 18%. If they withheld less than that, it could explain part of why you're owing so much.

This sounds incredibly frustrating! The 9 allowances situation is definitely a red flag - that would drastically reduce your withholding throughout the year, which explains the large tax bill you're facing now. A few things to check immediately: 1. Request copies of all your paystubs from this year to verify what was actually withheld 2. Ask your HR/payroll department for documentation showing when and how your allowances were set to 9 3. Double-check that all your bonus withholding is properly included in Box 2 of your W-2 The good news is that if your employer made an error with your withholding allowances without your consent, you may be eligible for penalty relief from the IRS. They have provisions for situations where underwithholding wasn't the taxpayer's fault. For immediate relief, you can set up a payment plan with the IRS if you can't pay the full amount right away. And definitely submit a new W-4 form immediately to fix your withholding going forward - you don't want to be in this situation again next year! The bonus withholding should indeed be at 22% if they used the flat rate method, so 18% suggests there might have been an error there too.

Does anyone know if you can track the status of an amended return? I'm worried about my amendment getting lost in the mail or something.

Another option to consider while waiting for the amendments to process is setting up a payment plan with the IRS if your parents are concerned about the immediate financial impact. They offer both short-term (120 days or less) and long-term installment agreements that can help spread out the payments. The short-term payment plan doesn't have a setup fee, and even if your refund comes through during those 120 days, any overpayment would be refunded back to them. This might be less stressful than paying the full amount upfront while waiting months for the amendment processing. You can set up payment plans online through the IRS website or by calling them directly. Just make sure to still file those amendments ASAP since the payment plan doesn't fix the underlying dependent status issue.

Everyone's talking about adjusting withholding, but don't forget to check if you qualify for tax credits! As a recent grad, you might still be able to claim education credits like the Lifetime Learning Credit if you paid tuition in the same tax year. Also check if you can deduct student loan interest if you've started repaying. Those credits and deductions can make a huge difference when you actually file your taxes, even if they don't affect your immediate paycheck situation.

Welcome to the world of adulting and taxes! 31% does seem shocking at first, but it's unfortunately normal for California. I remember my first "real" paycheck - I literally called HR thinking there was a mistake! A few quick tips that helped me when I was in your shoes: 1. Max out that 401k match ASAP - it's free money and reduces your taxable income 2. Look into an HSA if your company offers one - triple tax advantage 3. Consider if you have any tax-deductible expenses like home office setup for remote work The silver lining? You'll likely get a decent refund when you file since withholding tends to be conservative for new grads. But definitely run the IRS withholding calculator to see if you can optimize your W-4. Just don't go too aggressive - owing money at tax time plus penalties is worse than getting a refund. Also, start tracking any work-related expenses now - even small things like professional development courses or work clothes can add up to deductions.

idk about walmart card but im still waiting on my refund from last year lmaooo irs is a joke

Protip: Just use a regular bank account. These prepaid cards are literally making money off people who think theyll get paid faster. Its all marketing fluff and fees

Can someone explain tax credits too? I know they're different from deductions but I don't really understand how they affect the effective tax rate calculation.

This is exactly the kind of confusion that trips up so many people! I made the same mistake when I first started doing my own taxes. The key insight that everyone else has mentioned is that the standard deduction creates a "tax-free zone" at the bottom of your income. Think of it this way: the government is essentially saying "everyone gets their first $13,850 completely tax-free" (for 2025). So when you see those tax brackets showing 10% on income from $0-$11,000, that's actually 10% on *taxable* income from $0-$11,000, not your total income. Your calculations were actually correct mathematically - you just needed to subtract the standard deduction first! This is why tax software and calculators are so helpful, because they automatically account for all these deductions and credits that most people forget about when doing mental math. It's also worth noting that this progressive system means you'll never take home less money by earning more (ignoring very specific edge cases with certain benefits). Every additional dollar you earn will always increase your after-tax income, even if it pushes you into a higher bracket.