[Opinionated Blowhard]

I know this is a minority opinion, but this is really not a good idea. I know all the reasons why it is a good idea, but its still not a good idea. Most people are not responsible and will end up owing a lot of money to the government and won’t be able to pay it when due. It will create a crisis for them. The interest that they earn on the withheld funds isn’t worth that risk.

[Zhang Fei]

[I know this is a minority opinion, but this is really not a good idea. I know all the reasons why it is a good idea, but its still not a good idea. Most people are not responsible and will end up owing a lot of money to the government and won’t be able to pay it when due. It will create a crisis for them. The interest that they earn on the withheld funds isn’t worth that risk.]

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This is how some showbiz figures get into trouble. They spend every dollar earned, borrow based on peak earnings, forget to pay Uncle Sam, end up in prison. Wesley Snipes is the poster child for this.

[21twelve]

“...owing a lot of money to the government and won’t be able to pay it when due.”

Not to worry, that’s what credit cards are for.

My sister was so excited when she learned of all the money she could get to send her son off to college. Maybe I should have said something, but shes quite a bit older than me. And liberal. But the sense I got was she thought the government was just going to GIVE her money. (Not a loan.)

I don’t recall hearing lamentations of having to pay it off - maybe her ex-husband had to take care of it. He got hosed during the divorce.

[hanamizu]

I know this is a minority opinion, but this is really not a good idea.

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There was a time, before WWII, when taxpayers were expected to pay their whole year’s taxes on tax day. Then too, before the war, the average worker wasn’t touched by income tax. That’s how the income tax was sold to the public, a tax only for the rich.

[Fledermaus]

Not if you do simple math. Then add a $10 withholding per check.

Not hard to match your tax liability with withholding.

[Political Junkie Too]

Bessent isn't suggesting to not pay taxes at all as you go. Bessent is saying to adjust your witholding based on the tax code changes from the Big Beautiful Bill so you don't overpay from the tax reductions.

He wants the middle class to feel the effect of the tax changes now, not next April 15.

-PJ

[Freee-dame]

The tax reductions in Trump 1.0 included changing withholding . Many people got larger paychecks, but they lived paycheck to paycheck, and never noticed what was automatically deposited. When they had a smaller or no tax refund at the end of the year, they hated it and thought they paid more in taxes. Eileen Trump.

[Bshaw]

“It will create a crisis for them.”

Not in every case. My son claims 0 dependents and received a $3K refund. He could likely claim 1 on his W4 and be just fine.

[Georgia Girl 2]

In truth many people use over withholding like a savings account because it is hard to be disciplined enough to put money away every month. I admit to using the $3,400 tax refund back in 1987 as a down payment to purchase a townhouse after moving to Atlanta and living in an Apartment for 18 months. It was a great investment.

When I started my own business a few years later I started taking a minimal salary to avoid taxes and SS. Most of my income was interest and dividends. I never got another tax refund again.