So. Are they slashing tax rates this year then? Or is it a “We’ll just collect everything we would have taken anyway when you file next years taxes. But in the meantime it’ll look like a wage increase without being a wage increase.”
Last year they made some changes and many people are getting larger refunds because of those changes. 2026 tax year will have more changes that will go into effect so the Treasury is trying to get ahead of it. Treasury would prefer workers keep the money on their paychecks rather than have to cut those checks after taxes are filed.
“I just learned the IRS (allegedly by some accounts defunct) updated the 2026 w4 employee tax withholding form to add a check box for claiming exemption from withholding. That’s interesting.”
The exempt box has been there for years - you were only supposed to check it if you owed zero taxes the previous year. It's possible the instructions or regulations around using the box changed.
I claim exemption from withholding for 2004, and I certify that I meet both of the following conditions for exemption:
â—Ź Last year I had a right to a refund of all Federal income tax withheld because I had no tax liability and
â—Ź This year I expect a refund of all Federal income tax withheld because I expect to have no tax liability.
If you meet both conditions, write “Exempt” here ...............
From Form W-4 for 2026:
Exempt from withholding
I claim exemption from withholding for 2026, and I certify that I meet both of the conditions for exemption for 2026. See Exemption from withholding on page 2. I understand I will need to submit a new Form W-4 for 2027.
(from back of form)
Exemption from withholding. You may claim exemption from
withholding for 2026 if you meet both of the following
conditions: you had no federal income tax liability in 2025 and
you expect to have no federal income tax liability in 2026. You
had no federal income tax liability in 2025 if (1) your total tax on
line 24 on your 2025 Form 1040 or 1040-SR is zero (or less than
the sum of lines 27a, 28, 29, and 30), or (2) you were not
required to file a return because your income was below the
filing threshold for your correct filing status. If you claim
exemption, you will have no income tax withheld from your
paycheck and may owe taxes and penalties when you file your
2026 tax return. To claim exemption from withholding, certify
that you meet both of the conditions by checking the box in the
Exempt from withholding section. Then, complete Steps 1(a),
1(b), and 5. Do not complete any other steps. You will need to
submit a new Form W-4 by February 16, 2027.
It's already April going on May. At this point I'll just leave it and get a bigger refund next year. The downside if we withhold too little is we have to come up with the cash plus potentially interest next year. No thanks.
Frank Brushaber was born in New York and called himself a citizen of New York in his court papers.
Treasury Decision 2313 was based on the court case. Treasury determined that Brushaber was nonresident and alien to the United States (federal government).
Brushaber challenged taxation of a investment in Union Pacific, but it was a federally chartered corporation, and so he had to pay tax.
Can I claim 40 Million illegal immigrants as 'dependents'?
We can all claim claim Rep Omar and her brother husband as dependents. That should do it.
So. Are they slashing tax rates this year then? Or is it a “We’ll just collect everything we would have taken anyway when you file next years taxes. But in the meantime it’ll look like a wage increase without being a wage increase.”
Won't a tax rate change have to go through congress, unless Trump can do an executive order to change the tax laws.
This is an interesting clip, I wish an accountant would jump in and comment.
Last year they made some changes and many people are getting larger refunds because of those changes. 2026 tax year will have more changes that will go into effect so the Treasury is trying to get ahead of it. Treasury would prefer workers keep the money on their paychecks rather than have to cut those checks after taxes are filed.
This is what one account on X claims:
“I just learned the IRS (allegedly by some accounts defunct) updated the 2026 w4 employee tax withholding form to add a check box for claiming exemption from withholding. That’s interesting.”
Link to account: https://x.com/dimensionsodust/status/2044509049111384498?s=61
The exempt box has been there for years - you were only supposed to check it if you owed zero taxes the previous year. It's possible the instructions or regulations around using the box changed.
From Form W-4 for 2004:
I claim exemption from withholding for 2004, and I certify that I meet both of the following conditions for exemption: ● Last year I had a right to a refund of all Federal income tax withheld because I had no tax liability and ● This year I expect a refund of all Federal income tax withheld because I expect to have no tax liability. If you meet both conditions, write “Exempt” here ...............
From Form W-4 for 2026:
Exempt from withholding I claim exemption from withholding for 2026, and I certify that I meet both of the conditions for exemption for 2026. See Exemption from withholding on page 2. I understand I will need to submit a new Form W-4 for 2027.
(from back of form) Exemption from withholding. You may claim exemption from withholding for 2026 if you meet both of the following conditions: you had no federal income tax liability in 2025 and you expect to have no federal income tax liability in 2026. You had no federal income tax liability in 2025 if (1) your total tax on line 24 on your 2025 Form 1040 or 1040-SR is zero (or less than the sum of lines 27a, 28, 29, and 30), or (2) you were not required to file a return because your income was below the filing threshold for your correct filing status. If you claim exemption, you will have no income tax withheld from your paycheck and may owe taxes and penalties when you file your 2026 tax return. To claim exemption from withholding, certify that you meet both of the conditions by checking the box in the Exempt from withholding section. Then, complete Steps 1(a), 1(b), and 5. Do not complete any other steps. You will need to submit a new Form W-4 by February 16, 2027.
Thank you for the explanation fren.
It's already April going on May. At this point I'll just leave it and get a bigger refund next year. The downside if we withhold too little is we have to come up with the cash plus potentially interest next year. No thanks.
...there will b no [ irs ] next yr
That's what I'm thinking.
🤞🤞🤞🤞
This would only make sense if there was a plan to eliminate federal taxes.
…as long as we don’t owe next April 15th.
As we’re both now retired…criminal.
Frank Brushaber was born in New York and called himself a citizen of New York in his court papers.
Treasury Decision 2313 was based on the court case. Treasury determined that Brushaber was nonresident and alien to the United States (federal government).
Brushaber challenged taxation of a investment in Union Pacific, but it was a federally chartered corporation, and so he had to pay tax.
https://www.supremelaw.org/copyrite/deoxy.org/fz/2.htm
https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/2044469482626711934?s=20