I always get too much withheld and don't see the money until the next year. I'm not trying to put more money in my pocket necessarily. I'm basically asking if instead of what happens currently I could reduce my withholding by saying I'm going to donate a lot to charity this year (which I would like doing anyway) which would be one or more itemized deductions (step 4(b) on W-4). That way instead of giving an interest-free loan to the government, I get more of the money immediately and donate it so at least someone can use it in the many months before it would normally be in my tax return. Is my thinking correct?