W2 shows $28k with NO federal withholding - HOH with 4 dependents - Will I get anything?

Based on your filing status as Head of Household with four qualifying dependents, you may still qualify for refundable tax credits despite the minimal federal withholding. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) provides up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,500 being refundable per child via the Additional Child Tax Credit. Additionally, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) could be substantial with your income level and number of dependents. However, I would need to know: What are the ages of your dependents? And did you check box 2 on your W-4 at the $28,000 job that would exempt you from withholding?

You need to fix your W-4 ASAP for 2024. Something went wrong there - nobody making $28k should have ZERO federal withholding unless you specifically requested it. But for 2023, you're probably fine. With 4 kids and HOH status, the child tax credits and EITC will likely cover any tax you owe and still give you something back. I had a similar situation in 2022 and still got $7k back because of my kids. Just don't expect a huge refund since you didn't put anything in.

You're actually in better shape than you think! Last year I had a similar situation with low withholding but three dependents. Worried I'd owe thousands, right? But after filing, I still received over $4,200 back. Why? Because the Child Tax Credit and EITC are specifically designed for working families. Have you calculated what your actual tax liability would be on $31,100 as HOH? It's surprisingly low, and then the credits come into play after that.

You might actually be eligible for a substantial refund, particularly if your dependents qualify for the Child Tax Credit. However, if you do end up owing instead, and need clarification from the IRS about payment options, I would suggest using Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com). I recently needed to speak with an IRS representative about a similar withholding issue, and after days of busy signals, Claimyr connected me to an agent in approximately 15 minutes. The agent was able to set up a payment plan that worked with my budget constraints. Perhaps worth considering if you find yourself needing to discuss options directly with the IRS?

Have you tried running your numbers through a tax calculator yet? I always do this before filing to avoid surprises. With HOH status and 4 dependents, you might qualify for: 1. Child Tax Credit (if children are under 17) 2. Credit for Other Dependents (if any are 17+ or other qualifying relatives) 3. Earned Income Credit (based on your income level) 4. Possibly education credits if any dependents are in college Can I ask how old your dependents are? That makes a huge difference in which credits you qualify for!

Looking at the 2023 tax tables, a Head of Household with $31,100 income would have a federal tax liability of approximately $1,841 before any credits. With 4 dependents, you'd likely qualify for $8,000 in Child Tax Credits ($2,000 × 4) if they're under 17, with up to $6,000 being refundable. Additionally, your EITC with 4 qualifying children and that income would be around $5,988. Even after covering the $1,841 you'd owe, and subtracting the $30 already withheld, you could potentially receive over $10,000 in refundable credits. The key is making sure all your dependents qualify under IRS rules. For 2024, I'd strongly recommend updating your W-4 to avoid this situation again.