If you are single and receive a substantial return each year, can you legally increase your dependants?

If you are referring to your W-4 form that you file with your employer, and you are referrring to line 5 "allowances", then yes, you can select any amount. The higher the number the less your refund...or the more you owe. If you end up owing too much, the IRS may charge you interest (often referred to as a penalty). Generally, you have to owe at least $1,000...but often, it is more than that before interest kicks in. And, the interest is only on the amount above a certain threshold...not on the entire amount owed.

So, please feel free to enter a higher amount on line 5. Remember, it doesn't say "dependents", it says, "allowances". It has nothing to do with how many dependents you ultimately claim on your 1040.

On your W-4 you may increase your allowances, not your dependents, they are not the same thing. We have a family of 6 (my husband and I plus our 4 children) and we have 9 allowances for our federal W-4, and we still receive a substantial refund each year. If you are claiming single 0 or single 1 you can increase it to perhaps single 3, there is a chart at www.irs.gov that will show you the extra amount that is withheld at various allowances so you can calculate the most accurate number for you to claim.

You can increase your allowances (not dependents) on your W-4 to lower your tax withholding, and decrease the refund you keep getting. You can go as high as single and 10 exemptions. You can claim more than 10, but your company would be required to send a copy of the W-4 to the IRS, and no one wants any extra attention from them. If it's the same case with your state withholding, you probably need to change the state form as well. Nice problem to have!

As others have said, you can increase your allowances on your W4. You are required to be truthful on you W4...meaning, you must attest that you are entitled to claim that many allowances (and it can be more or less than your exemptions).

Side note: there used to be a rule that required employers to send a W4 to the IRS if it had 10 or more allowances on it. That rule does not exist anymore.

Well on your w-4s you can but at the end of the year and you have to file you can only put as many dependants as you really have. You have to have their ss number to prove that they are really your dependants.

What do you mean "increase your dependents"? Do you mean change your withholding? Yes, you can. That won't change the tax you ultimately have to pay.

You can put anything you want on your W4. However, you must tell the truth when you file.

Sure, just have a few more babies. Then its legal.

Yes