[dbromwell]

I just discovered my employer has not been withholding Georgia state taxes. They have been withholding all other taxes. Since we don't receive a pay stub each payday, I retrieved my first pay stub online and missed it. I haven't pull any others since the direct deposit was the same each time (salaried). Is there any way I can request my employer assist in the tax penalty I now have to pay the state for not withholding the state tax?

[Fr_Chuck]

No they will not pay any penality.unless they were in error, but again you hold final responsibility for checking this.

First why are they not holding any out ? Is your check under the amount where they hold out ? My wife seldom has any federal withholdings ( TN does not have state tax) and when we lived in GA, she almost never had any GA tax withheld because her check was so small that on that pay cycle, it was under the lmit for any withholdings.

And you never checked your check stub ( we need to talk big time about companies always cheating you at some point and time on your pay)
Lesson to learn, never trust a company to do what they are suppose to do.

[dbromwell]

Yes, I know I messed up on this. I just never had an employer mess up so bad. I did fill out the state withholding form (I have my copy). And, no, my pay is not so small; I now owe the state almost $1000.00. I'm going to talk to my payroll department first thing Monday morning to get it straight and have them begin taking the taxes out. You're right, I won't let this slip again. You'd think this company would have been more on the ball since we all had to sign homeland security paperwork... I guess it could have been worse. Thanks for the response. I just wondered.

[excon]

Hello db:

Perspective is everything...

I don't have any withholding (federal) taken out of my check. I ALWAYS have a big bill with the IRS come tax time. I never have state taxes withheld from my paycheck either. And YES, that results in a bill too.

But, all this is GOOD - from a financial planning perspective. I love it. I do it on purpose.

Indeed, having taxes taken out of your check BEFORE they're due, is silly. The government pays NO interest on the money it gets from you that it isn't due. So, I take that money and invest it. When I finally pay it on April 15, at the last possible minute, I've made several hundred dollars that I wouldn't have.

That's just me. I like money. Therefore, I'd never say you "messed up" by NOT giving them your money before you owe it. I'd say that it was rather smart of you.

excon

PS> Even your state taxes aren't due till April 15, so you don't owe ANY penalties - just the tax.

[Fr_Chuck]

I agree excon, while I had a little taken out each paycheck it was only a small amount compared to the charts, I don't want them to have use of my money, But again that is just me also.

But for many people this is the only savings plan they have, without it, they send that few dollars each week, and they have to wait for that refund each year to buy a used car, or a sofa or something they can't save the money for.

[dbromwell]

I thought employers were required by law to withhold the taxes. If this is not the case, then you are right! I need to stop them from taking any of the tax out, too. I just need to be sure I put it back each paycheck... Thanks for the new perspective!

PS - I do have other savings; you just get into the habit and you do what your parents did, etc.

[excon]

Hello again, db:

They are only required to withhold the amount that would coincide with the number of exemptions YOU filled out on your W-4. You can change it with your payroll department any time you wish. I don't know what Georgia calls its form.

I have ZERO exemptions.

excon