W4 & Taxes

buzzard0627

So it would seem that my employer has had incorrect information about me for my taxes for the past 8 months (when I switched jobs). Because of that I am owing a significant amount of money to the state and feds. I only became aware of this after the first of the year when we switched to a payroll company and my new stubs listed more detailed information than I had been getting (I then did my taxes and realized how much I was going to owe).

Very annoyed, I brought it to his attention and it was "fixed." I now get my next paycheck and it is still not fixed. Again, I have brought it to their attention and I am told that it will get fixed. I kind of feel like I am getting screwed over as I am already behind in my taxes. I should be paying more than I am.

I work for a small company (less than 30 employees), so I do not want to create much of a stink, but is there anything I can do?

Thanks in advance H & A.

Daenris

Well... you're not getting screwed over exactly... you would have paid the same in taxes if they'd been taking out the correct amount because you would have just gotten less every paycheck.

Just bring it up again nicely. Show them your newest pay stub and let them know it still hasn't been fixed. Sometimes changes to pay/deductions/etc take a pay-period or two to actually get through the system.

Drez

Unfortunately, all you can do is keep on payroll's ass and with a small company there are only so many escalation levels you can go through. Just mention it to him/her every day until it gets done. Aside from that, tell your boss if you haven't already. Or if you're just telling your boss, go directly to payroll instead.

Mind you, sometimes it takes several weeks to fix this. Has happened to me a few times too.

buzzard0627

Well, I only say screwed over because of what I owe in taxes (had I realized I was underpaying I would have saved the money).

And unfortunately my direct report is the owner, so there is no escalation and when I pointed it out, he said "it was already fixed." He is also the one doing payroll.

Daenris

Well then... I'd say probably give him one more pay-period. If it's still wrong on your next check bring it to his attention again.

Drez

Daenris wrote: »

Well then... I'd say probably give him one more pay-period. If it's still wrong on your next check bring it to his attention again.

I agree with a slight change.

a) Wait one more pay period.
b) If it's not fixed by the time, call your state's tax information board and ask how long it usually takes once a change has been submitted.
c) If they say it takes less time than between this next pay period and your boss' claim that it's been fixed bring it up to him again.

I recommend (b) only if you're worried about annoying your boss. If not, just hassle him constantly.