What is the impact of adjusting a W-4 form for a client due to their tax refund?

Adjusting a W-4 form can directly influence the amount of federal income tax withheld from an employee's paycheck. Clients who typically receive a large tax refund at the end of the year might consider adjusting their W-4 to reflect their actual tax situation more accurately. By claiming additional allowances or reducing withholding amounts, they can increase the amount of take-home pay throughout the year.

When a client adjusts their W-4 to reduce their withholding, it means that less money will be deducted from their paychecks for federal taxes. As a result, while this change increases their take-home pay, it also leads to a smaller refund when tax season arrives. This is because the client is essentially opting to keep more of their money upfront rather than overpaying taxes in anticipation of a refund later. Therefore, the most accurate impact of adjusting the W-4 due to a prior tax refund is that it will reduce the size of their tax refund.