# Reduce RMD Fed w/h to owe IRS on returns? **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [May 31, 2024, 1:32am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/reduce-rmd-fed-w-h-to-owe-irs-on-returns/5360 "2024-05-31T01:32:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robertpri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@robertpri](https://community.clark.com/u/robertpri)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 1:32am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/reduce-rmd-fed-w-h-to-owe-irs-on-returns/5360/1 "2024-05-31T01:32:10Z")
I’ve always taken a larger than required RMD and then have large w/h to get a large tax refund. I’ve done this for so many years I don’t even recall why I began. But many advise against this for fear of getting my refund hijacked. Is this really common? I have a federal PIN so feel relatively safe. How would they steal my PIN? Opinions? ---
**Author:** ![H200h](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e79b87/32.png) [@H200h](https://community.clark.com/u/H200h)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 3:04am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/reduce-rmd-fed-w-h-to-owe-irs-on-returns/5360/3 "2024-05-31T03:04:52Z")
I use my RMDs to make QCDs and bump up my FIT witholding in December. But I see no advantage to withholding more than the tax that I will owe when I file. I buy Turbotax in December and run a quick check on my current year’s tax and try to come in just under my taxes that will be due in April. ---
**Author:** ![JPW050](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@JPW050](https://community.clark.com/u/JPW050)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/reduce-rmd-fed-w-h-to-owe-irs-on-returns/5360/4 "2024-05-31T11:33:27Z")
The ideal situation when filing taxes is to have a zero balance. You do not have to pay anything additional, and you get no refund. Getting a large tax refund is simply letting the government have a no interest loan during the year. ---
**Author:** ![JPW050](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@JPW050](https://community.clark.com/u/JPW050)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 11:37am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/reduce-rmd-fed-w-h-to-owe-irs-on-returns/5360/5 "2024-05-31T11:37:52Z")
To reduce the amount of taxes owed, I have started doing Qualified Charitable Distributions too. Charitable donations are deductible if you itemize, and you exceed the standard deduction. Qualified Charitable Distributions allow charity donations to be deducted even if the standard deduction is used. ---
**Author:** ![H200h](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e79b87/32.png) [@H200h](https://community.clark.com/u/H200h)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 2:01pm UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/reduce-rmd-fed-w-h-to-owe-irs-on-returns/5360/6 "2024-05-31T14:01:55Z")
> [@JPW050](#): > > The ideal situation when filing taxes is to have a zero balance. The exception to that rule kicks into play when you have to prepay 110% of your previous year’s taxes to achieve [“safe harbour” status.](https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/irs/tax-responsibilities/avoiding-underpayment-tax-penalty/) ---
**Author:** ![H200h](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e79b87/32.png) [@H200h](https://community.clark.com/u/H200h)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/reduce-rmd-fed-w-h-to-owe-irs-on-returns/5360/8 "2024-05-31T17:18:53Z")
> [@ratbert2k](#): > > If you have no balance to pay when you file your return, you don’t need the safe harbor. True… but if you are looking at a year that is complex and difficult to predict, even in December, it’s a good idea to pay the margin to make sure. If your last-year AGI is over $150k (married) or $75k (single) that’s 110%. That’s cheap insurance. Mistakes can be costly.