Question

If a taxpayer does not have enough taxes withdrawn from her paychecks throughout the year to equal the total tax she is required to pay that year, she will owe the government the remaining balance. On the other hand, if the taxpayer has more money withheld for taxes than she is required to pay that year, she will receive a refund for the difference.

Mary has determined that, based on her annual income of $36,000, her federal income tax for the year is $5,424. Mary gets paid on a bi-weekly basis, giving her 26 paychecks throughout the 52 week year.

What is the minimum amount Mary must have withheld from each of her 26 bi-weekly paychecks in order to avoid owing the federal government at the end of the year?
a.
$104.30
b.
$208.62
c.
$692.31
d.
$1,384.62

Answer 1

Total needed per paycheck = 5424 ÷ 26 = 208.6153846..., so rounding to cents gives $208.62.

Answer: b. $208.62