I hear ya. I'm not trying to say that I feel entitled to a big refund like that. I understand how it works now and I appreciate everyone that answered. I think I was mostly confused/figured something was wrong because when my oldest was younger, maybe 3-4 years ago, there were a couple years that I still worked at my previous job ($12 an hour.. I know, but it was a small business, wonderful people who were so good to me in so many other ways, right across the street from my son's school and down the street from my house.. and I was really just working to supplement my ex's income, he made more) where I actually claimed my son, filed single, still had federal taxes withheld, only worked 40 hours a week, sometimes less. Making $12 an hour. So I was confused, now that I'm making slightly more money. (I get that I have more kids now, and my filing status has changed, still don't make a ton, and that's why federal is not being withheld.)

But back to what I was saying, I don't feel entitled to a giant refund or anything just for having kids. I would've loved to get a higher paying job and had federal withheld. This offer just happened to come first and I really needed to get back to work lol. I fully expected to see a higher amount taken out for federal than what I'm used to, since I'm making slightly more now. I understand that is not going to be the case.

Thank you though everyone, this was actually really informative. Learned something new today. 🙂