Realized I never updated HR about my marriage status - Tax implications?

Don't stress too much! Your W-2 withholding status (what HR has on file) and your actual tax filing status are two separate things. You can absolutely file as married even if your employer has been withholding at the "single" rate. The main difference is that withholding as single typically takes out MORE taxes from each paycheck than married withholding. So you've likely been overpaying slightly throughout the year, which means you might get a larger refund when you file. That said, you should definitely update your W-4 with HR as soon as possible to make sure your withholding accurately reflects your situation going forward. Just tell them you got married and need to update your tax withholding status - this is a common situation, and they deal with it all the time.

I went through this exact same situation last year and was totally stressing about it too! I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me figure out if I'd been withholding correctly despite my HR status mishap. You upload your pay stubs and it analyzes everything to show if you're on track or need to make adjustments before tax time. In my case, I'd been withholding as single for almost a year after getting married, and the tool showed I was actually OVER-withholding by about $175 per month. It even helped me calculate the exact numbers to put on my new W-4 form. Super helpful when I was freaking out like you are!

Just wanted to follow up and say I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. WOW what a difference from other calculators I've used! I uploaded my last few pay stubs and my spouse's too, and it immediately showed we were under-withholding by about $2,100 for the year because of a similar situation (got married but didn't update withholding). The comparison between our current withholding and what it should be was super clear, and I was able to fill out new W-4 forms for both our employers right away. It even accounted for the fact that we're both contributing to HSAs which I didn't expect. Definitely worth checking out if you're in this situation!

If you're having trouble getting through to your HR department to make this change (like I was), I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I initially tried calling our corporate HR number for WEEKS with no response to update my marriage status. Their system kept putting me on hold forever or disconnecting. After seeing a video demo (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c), I tried Claimyr to get through to our benefits department. They called on my behalf, navigated the phone tree, waited on hold, and then connected me directly once a human was on the line. I had my withholding status updated in under 10 minutes after literally weeks of trying on my own. Especially now during open enrollment when HR departments are swamped, it's been a huge timesaver.

Alright, I need to eat some humble pie here. After responding skeptically above, I decided to try Claimyr anyway because I was at my wit's end trying to reach our benefits coordinator about a similar status change. I've literally been trying for TWO MONTHS to get through to our HR outsourcing company. Every time I called, it was minimum 35-40 minute hold times, and twice I got disconnected after waiting. Used the service this morning, and they called me back within 15 minutes with an actual human from HR on the line. Changed my withholding AND updated my health insurance to add my spouse in one call. Embarrassed I was so dismissive before, but this legitimately saved me hours of frustration.

This actually happens all the time, so don't beat yourself up! I work in payroll and we get people updating their marital status months or sometimes years after their wedding. A few things to keep in mind: 1. Update your W-4 with HR ASAP. While it won't affect what's already been withheld, it will correct things going forward. 2. If both you and your spouse work, consider selecting the "Two Jobs" checkbox on the W-4 or doing the multiple jobs worksheet to get more accurate withholding. 3. You might want to request extra withholding for the remainder of the year to compensate for earlier under-withholding (if that's your situation). 4. Don't forget to also update your benefits! Many people can add spouses to insurance during a qualifying life event period (usually 30-60 days after marriage), but if you missed that window, you'll need to wait for open enrollment.

Has anyone actually calculated what the difference is between withholding as single vs married? Like percentage-wise? Trying to figure out if I should adjust mine before year end.

Don't forget to also check if your change in marital status affects your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions! Many have income phase-out limits that differ for single vs. married filing jointly. For example: - Student loan interest deduction - IRA contribution deductions - Child tax credits - Earned Income Credit - Education credits A good tax pro or tax software can help you run the numbers both ways (filing separate vs joint) to see which is more advantageous in your specific situation.

Just wanted to add that you should also consider doing a "paycheck checkup" using the IRS withholding calculator on their website (irs.gov/W4App) once you update your status with HR. It's free and will help you determine if you need to make any additional adjustments to your withholding for the rest of the year. Since you got married in October 2023, you'll likely want to file as married for your 2023 taxes (you can choose married filing jointly or married filing separately - joint is usually better but not always). The calculator will help you figure out if you're on track for 2024 withholding too. Also, don't forget that marriage can affect other things like your FSA/HSA contribution limits if you both have accounts, and whether you're eligible for certain employer benefits. It's worth reviewing all of that while you're updating your HR records!