What is the concept of tax withholding?

@columbus_***merata 

Tax withholding is a system used by governments to collect income taxes from individuals and businesses on a pay-as-you-earn basis. It is a method of deducting a certain portion of an individual's paycheck or a business' revenue before the funds are paid out to the employee or owner. The deducted amount is then remitted to the government as a prepayment of the individual's or business' taxes.

The concept of tax withholding is designed to ensure a steady and consistent collection of taxes throughout the year, rather than individuals or businesses facing a significant tax burden at the end of the year. It helps prevent taxpayers from falling into tax debt by requiring them to set aside a portion of their income or revenue upfront to meet their tax obligations.

Employers or payers are typically responsible for withholding taxes from their employees' wages, while financial institutions may withhold taxes on interest or dividends paid to individuals. The amount withheld is determined based on the individual's or business' income, tax filing status, and the number of allowances or exemptions claimed on their W-4 form (for employees) or Form W-9 (for businesses).

At the end of the tax year, individuals and businesses calculate their actual tax liability based on their total income and deductions. The amount already withheld throughout the year is then compared to the actual tax liability to determine if they owe additional taxes or are due a refund.