IRS

Form W-4

Rev. 2024

Employee's Withholding Certificate

Tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck.

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Plain English

Form W-4 is what you fill out when you start a new job so your employer knows how much federal income tax to take out of each paycheck. Fill it accurately to avoid owing a big tax bill (or getting a giant refund) at tax time.

Quick Facts

Who: All U.S. employees starting a new job or wanting to adjust their withholding at any time during employment.
What: A certificate that tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck based on your filing status, dependents, and other income.
When: On or before your first day of work. You may submit a new W-4 any time your personal or financial situation changes.
Where: Submitted to your employer (not the IRS). Kept in your personnel file.
Why: The IRS requires employers to withhold income tax from paychecks. The W-4 ensures the right amount is withheld so you don't owe penalties or miss out on refund.
How: Enter your name, SSN, filing status, dependents, other income, deductions, and any extra withholding you want. Sign and date.

Common Risks & Mistakes

  • •Using Married Filing Jointly when both spouses work — may under-withhold without Step 2 adjustment
  • •Failing to account for multiple jobs — the W-4 only covers one job per employer
  • •Claiming too many dependents allowances (old system) — the new W-4 uses dollar amounts, not allowances
  • •Not updating W-4 after major life changes — marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or second job
  • •Submitting unsigned form — invalid and employer will default to single rate
  • •Entering incorrect SSN — causes IRS mismatch and under-withholding penalties

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Field-by-Field Guide

Step 1
First Name & Middle InitialREQUIREDtext

Legal name as it appears on your Social Security card.

Last NameREQUIREDtext

Legal last name as it appears on your Social Security card.

AddressREQUIREDtext

Your home address. Used for mailing if your employer sends W-2 by mail.

Social Security NumberREQUIREDssn

Required for employer to report withholding to IRS.

Filing StatusREQUIREDselect

Single or MFS, MFJ or QSS, or Head of Household. Affects withholding amount.

Step 2
Multiple Jobs or Spouse Workscheckbox

Complete if you have more than one job or are married filing jointly and both work. Use IRS withholding estimator for accuracy.

Step 3
Claim Dependentsamount

Multiply qualifying children under 17 by $2,000 and other dependents by $500. Enter total.

Step 4
Other Income (not from jobs)amount

Interest, dividends, retirement income. Adding here prevents underpayment.

Deductionsamount

If you expect to itemize deductions above the standard, enter estimated excess from Deductions Worksheet.

Extra Withholding per Periodamount

Any additional amount you want withheld each pay period.

Step 5
SignatureREQUIREDsignature

Sign and date. Unsigned form is invalid and employer should withhold at single rate.

DateREQUIREDdate

Date of signature.

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Form Stats

12
Fields
7
Required
5
Sections

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Disclaimer: We do not provide legal advice. We translate legal language into plain English and help you prepare for a conversation with a lawyer.