Question about federal income tax withholding?

My husband claims 5 dependents on his federal income tax return however throughout the year he claims 2 on his paycheck. He is expecting a $10,000 bonus check next month so my question id should he change his withholding to 5 dependents just for the bonus then go back to 2 for the rest of the year so they do not take out a huge chunk in taxes. In 2007 he made $36,500 he is expecting to make between $50,000 - $55,000 in 2008. We usually get back about $7.500 in tax refund. So if he claims 5 dependents for the bonus check will it just kinda break even as far as tax refund next year? Any help with this would be great thanks last year he received $3500.00 and brought home $2236.00 if that helps any thanks

Public Comments

1. The employer is going to take a big chunk no matter what, that is how bonus withholding works. Since you get such a large refund, he could change his W-4 allowances to 5 and not have so much taken out for taxes, all year. However, the bonus withholding is going to be a large amount, usually 25%.
2. Most bonus check are not based on the exemptions on file. If the employer does it correctly, they should be charging a flat rate for FIT of 26% (I think). It used to be 28%, but I think that they lowered it. This doesn't include any FICA/Medicare taxes or and state or local taxes.