Not taking sides on this debate as I am undecided myself, but thought I would chime in with a story. My dad used to tell my brother and I seperately when we were younger that 0 dependents meant we would have more money at the end of the year than with 1. As in not just a bigger return since we had more taken out through the year but more money overall. We never knew that we were being had to force us to save money until only a few years ago. I dunno I see sblfilms point, but when you're young and reckless with your money, it really does help.