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Owed a lot in taxes? Here's what to do and how to look ahead for next year

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Published  April 15, 2026 10:37am EDT
Money
FOX Local
article

Amount you owe circled in red on a tax filing form, next to several $100 bills. (Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Major life events can prompt a change in your tax filing status, bracket or available deductions.
    • If you unexpectedly owed a lot in taxes this year, you can get on a payment plan.
    • You can calculate your withholding any time throughout the year, and adjust your taxes with your employer if you find you're over or underpaying. 

If you found yourself surprised after filing your taxes this year, you’re not alone. 

Whether your tax filing gave you a pleasant or unpleasant surprise, looking at your withholding now and adjusting them if necessary can provide a more predictable outcome next year when you file.

Why did I owe taxes? 

Big picture view:

If you found yourself owing taxes for the first time – or getting a refund much larger than you expected – it likely had to do with a major life event. 

Several big life changes that can prompt a change in your tax filing status, bracket or available deductions include: 

  • Marriage or divorce
  • Job change or change in income
  • Moving to a new state 
  • Child birth or adoption
  • Home purchase

RELATED: Most Americans say they pay more than their fair share in taxes, survey shows

IRS tax payment plan

Big picture view:

If you owe more taxes than you were expecting and aren’t able to pay, the IRS offers payment plans. 

Most taxpayers have up to 10 years to pay off their balance. However, the longer the payment plan term you choose, the more interest and penalties you will owe.

What you can do:

To apply for a payment plan, sign into your IRS account, call the IRS, or visit your local Taxpayer Assistance Center. More information here. 

The IRS number to call for individuals is (800) 829-1040 and for businesses is (800) 829-4933. 

RELATED: April 15 tax deadline: Last-minute questions, what to know about extensions

IRS withholding calculator

What you can do:

You can plug your latest paycheck information into the IRS’ withholding calculator to get an estimate on where your withholding stands, and if you’ll owe money or get a refund. 

How it works:

You’ll need the most recent paystubs for all your jobs. After plugging in some information from your paycheck and answering a few questions about your tax filing situation, the IRS will tell you if you’re withholding more than you need to, or not enough – meaning, if you’re on track to owe money or get a refund. 

You can find the tool here. 

How do I change my tax withholding? 

If you’ve learned you’re withholding too much or too little federal income tax, you can make a change now to avoid a big bill or refund in 2026. 

Refunds are nice and some people count on them, but adjusting your withholding can give you more money to work with each month. 

What you can do:

You change your tax withholding with your employer, not the IRS. Speak to your employer about making a change to your W-4, which is your withholding certificate. 

You may need to change your filing status, depending on any of the major life changes listed above, or you can voluntarily request additional withholding to compensate for estimated taxes on other taxable income or interests. 

Dig deeper:

If you’re self-employed, you may also pay taxes in quarterly estimates during the year to the IRS. This includes money for Social Security and Medicare that would otherwise be withheld by an employer. 

The Form 1040-ES can help estimate quarterly payments. 

2026 tax brackets

Big picture view:

Your tax filing could also look different next year if your tax bracket is adjusted. Keep that in mind if you plan to switch jobs, or earn or lose some income.

By the numbers:

Because of inflation adjustments, income thresholds for the two lowest brackets rose by about 4%, while higher brackets increased by roughly 2.3% compared with 2025 levels.

READ MORE: 2026 tax brackets vs. 2025: Here’s what’s changed, other things to know

2026 tax deduction

Dig deeper:

For tax year 2026, the standard deduction increased to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rose to $16,100 for tax year 2026, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $24,150.

2027 tax filing season

What's next:

Consult a tax professional now if you have any questions or concerns about your tax-filing situation come January 2027. 

The Source: Information in this article was taken from the IRS and previous FOX Television Station reporting. This story was reported from Detroit.

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