The Form W-4, issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is used by employees to inform their employers of the correct amount of federal income tax to withhold from their paychecks. Accurate completion of this form ensures that the appropriate tax is withheld, helping to prevent underpayment or overpayment of taxes during the year.

irs.gov

Key Sections:

1. Personal Information (Step 1):

   • Enter your full name, Social Security number, address, and filing status (e.g., Single, Married filing jointly, Head of household).

2. Multiple Jobs or Spouse Works (Step 2):

   • If you have more than one job or are married filing jointly with both spouses working, follow the instructions to adjust withholding appropriately.

3. Claim Dependents (Step 3):

   • Claim credits for dependents under age 17 and other dependents, if your total income is below the specified threshold.

4. Other Adjustments (Optional) (Step 4):

   • Account for other income not from jobs, additional deductions, or extra withholding amounts.

5. Signature (Step 5):

   • Sign and date the form to validate it.

Important Considerations:

• Accuracy: Ensure all information is accurate to prevent incorrect withholding amounts.

• Updates: Submit a new Form W-4 to your employer whenever your personal or financial situation changes, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in income.

• Exemptions: If you are exempt from withholding (e.g., you had no tax liability last year and expect none this year), indicate this on the form.

For detailed instructions and additional information, refer to the official IRS Form W-4: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf

Completing Form W-4 accurately helps ensure that the correct amount of federal income tax is withheld from your pay, aligning with your tax obligations and minimizing surprises during tax season.

🔗 Form W-4: Employee's Withholding Certificate