<prompt> Human: I know it may sound weird to say that I dont know how to fill out my w-4 being that Im 28 years old, but I have a fairly good reason and would love any help I could get please! Thanks in advance! So heres the background. Yes Ive been employed several times before but I was always single with no dependents so this process was simple. I have been married and divorced and I remember with the marriage I was told I should have filed as single in order to get the most money back Im not sure if this is true or not but the year I filled as married was the first and only year I ever owed Anyways. I have been divorced for over 6 years now and since then I have met a wonderful man I hope to marry this year or next year, we have a beautiful 2 year old son together and life is pretty great. Its still messy and trying, but great. For the last 3 years I have not worked. My significant other has claimed my son and I both as dependents for the last three years and we havent seemed to have any issues. I just started a job this week. I will be working for a bank 24-35 hours a week and I have no idea how to fileclaim. As a total household we would like to get the most amount back that we can next tax season. I believe my bf still has me claimed as a dependent and Im not sure if he can do that now that I am working?Can each of us claim my son as a dependent since we are not married?And most importantly what would be the best way for me to fill out my w-4 so that I can ensure I receive the most amount back as possible? I know that is a lot of information but I would really appreciate any and all help?!!! Thank you again! Edit: to clarify on getting the most amount back I do understand that this is not free money I get at the end of the year and that it is money the government takes and returns with 0 interest, meaning Ive overpaid. Our biggest concern is making sure that we will not owe, we are on a very tight budget so any added or unexpected expenses really take a tole on us. I realize also that something like a savings or cd would be better for our money for added earnings, but to be honest we are just trying to figure out whats the best for us and it is nice to have a little extra money after the holidays etc. so any advice is welcomed, like I said though, our biggest concern is making sure we dont owe at the end of the year  <response>: Youve kind of got it backwards, you want to get back as little as possible as a refund. I mean if you get a 1,000 refund refund, not money from tax credits, that means you paid about 20week too much. Then you got it back over a year later with 0 interest. Pretty shitty deal for you. Better to just get more money each paycheck and a tiny refund or owe a small amount. 