Tax withholding works just fine, give or take

As a way to cut government spending, Jeff Jacoby thinks that if Americans had to pay their tax obligation out of their own checking accounts as they do their electricity bills, they would be so outraged they would demand spending cuts (“Happy about your IRS refund? Don’t be,” Opinion, April 17). Does he really believe that processing more than 160 million checks per month is a way to improve government efficiency? And given many Americans’ penchant for living paycheck to paycheck, how many citizens would be unable to write that check? Then what?

As a volunteer tax preparer for AARP, I often encounter people who have overpaid and are due a large refund. Many are OK with this, including some financially sophisticated people. Some are not and are grateful for advice on how to go about matching their withholdings to their tax liability. When someone complains about the amount of their taxes, I gently suggest that they call their elected officials in Congress.

ROBERT MARCHETTI

Shirley

The IRS has a form to allow taxpayers to adjust their withholding. It’s called a W-4. The IRS website suggests that everyone do a paycheck checkup — “important for anyone whose refund is larger or smaller than expected.” Problem solved.

JOHN L. KOENIG

Lincoln