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Official form guide
Form W4V: Voluntary Withholding Request
IRS Form W-4V is a Voluntary Withholding Request used for unemployment compensation and certain Federal Government and other payments. It allows filers to request withholding rates, such as the permitted 10% from unemployment compensation.
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IRS Form W4V - Voluntary Withholding Request
IRS Form W-4V is a Voluntary Withholding Request used for unemployment compensation and certain Federal Government and other payments. It allows filers to request withholding rates, such as the permitted 10% from unemployment compensation.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The form is not valid unless the filer signs it.
- 2Filing without signing Form W-4V (the form is invalid).
- 3Sending Form W-4V directly to the IRS instead of the payer.
- 4Not completing lines 1 through 4 with required information.
- 5Checking a box on line 5, 6, or 7 incorrectly.
Plain English
This form tells your payer how much federal income tax to take out of your checks before they reach you. You use it if you want taxes withheld even when not legally required. Completing and submitting Form W-4V ensures the correct amount is taken from your payments.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2025-12-17 09:10:37
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when a filer wants the payer to withhold federal income tax from unemployment compensation or certain other government payments listed on Form W-4V.
- Do not use it when no voluntary withholding is desired, as checking box 7 stops withholding; also, do not send it directly to the IRS (it must be given to the payer).
- Check Form 1040-ES instead when making estimated tax payments for other income that isn’t subject to withholding.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Payer provides own form
The instructions state to use the payer's form if one is given instead of Form W-4V.
✓ Check whether your employer has a custom version.
Requesting withholding for Social Security benefits
This specifies the rate for payments other than unemployment compensation.
✓ Verify the correct percentage box is checked on Line 6.
Complete Line 6 and check the desired percentage (7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%)
Stopping all federal income tax withholding
Checking Line 7 explicitly instructs the payer to cease all current withholding.
✓ Ensure you do not check any other boxes (5 or 6) if stopping all withholding.
Complete Lines 1 through 4, check the box on Line 7, and sign/date it
Deadline or filing window
This Form W-4V's chosen withholding rate stays active until you change or stop it. There is no specific filing deadline date mentioned in the source, but the request takes effect when given to the payer.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Unemployment compensation withholding rate
10% from each payment (Line 5) · Line 5
Other payments withholding options
7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% from each payment (Line 6) · Line 6
Required action for stopping withholding
Check box on Line 7, sign, and date the form · Line 7 / How Do I Stop Withholding?
Payment eligibility list
Unemployment compensation, Social security benefits, etc. (See instructions) · Form p.1, bullet points
Filing requirement
Must be given to the payer of your payments; do not send it to the IRS · Instruction block under Title
Before you submit
- 1Complete Lines 1 through 4 (Name, SSN, Address, Claim/ID Number).
- 2Check one box on Line 5 if requesting withholding from unemployment compensation.
- 3If applicable, check the desired percentage (7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%) on Line 6 for other payments.
- 4Check the appropriate box on Line 7 if you wish to stop federal income tax withholding.
- 5Sign Form W-4V clearly in the designated area.
- 6Date Form W-4V immediately after signing.
- 7Confirm that the payer has not provided a different form for use.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Lines 1 through 4 with your personal and claim information.
- 2Check the appropriate box on Line 5, 6, or 7 to specify your withholding request.
- 3Sign Form W-4V in the designated area.
- 4Date Form W-4V immediately after signing; this completes the required documentation.
Known limitations
- 1The request for voluntary withholding is voluntary; a filer is not required to have federal income tax withheld from these payments.
- 2If a payer provides its own form instead of IRS Form W-4V, the filer must use that payer's specific form.
- 3A filer does not need to complete Form W-4V if they do not want federal income tax withheld from any of the listed government payments.
- 4The withholding rate for unemployment compensation is specifically limited to 10% per payment; no other percentage or amount is allowed for that payment type.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Personal Info
2 items
Your legal name and current mailing address.
Your taxpayer identification number — must match IRS records.
Filing Status
1 items
Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household (for withholding purposes).
Dependents
1 items
Number of qualifying children and other dependents.
Adjustments
1 items
Additional income not from jobs or adjustments to withholding.
Withholding
1 items
Additional amount you want withheld from each paycheck.
Certification
1 items
Your tax entity type: Individual, Corporation, Partnership, etc.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date to certify under penalty of perjury.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is Revision January 2026 (Rev. January 2026). For the latest information regarding future developments, filers should visit www.irs.gov/FormW4V.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads January 2026.
- OMB Number — confirm it is 1545-0074.
- Signature — verify that a signature is present, as the form is invalid without one.
- Date — ensure the date of signing is recorded on Form W-4V.
- Payer's specific form — if provided by the payer, confirm it supersedes this version.
Quick Facts
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After you file
- 1The filer must give Form W-4V to the payer of the payments, and not send it directly to the IRS.
- 2The federal income tax withholding chosen on Form W-4V remains in effect until the filer changes or stops it, or the payments cease.
- 3To change withholding for a payment other than unemployment compensation, the filer must complete a new Form W-4V and give it to the payer.
- 4To stop withholding, the filer must complete a new Form W-4V with line 7 checked, sign, date it, and give it to the payer.
- 5The filer should retain a copy of the completed Form W-4V.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The official title of the form is IRS Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The purpose of Form W-4V is for unemployment compensation and certain Federal Government and other payments.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Line 5 allows requesting a 10% withholding rate from unemployment compensation at the rate of 10%.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — For other payments, line 6 allows checking boxes for 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% withholding rates.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The filer must complete lines 1 through 4; check one box on line 5, 6, or 7; sign Form W-4V.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — When stopping withholding, the filer checks the box on line 7 and signs/dates it.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — The form is required to be provided if the filer wants voluntary withholding from payments for which it is not required by law (Internal Revenue Code sections 3402(p) and 6109).
- SRCInstructions p.1 — For unemployment compensation, the payer is permitted to withhold exactly 10% from each payment.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The form revision date on file is January 2026 (Form W-4V Rev. January 2026).
Common confusion points
Where do I send this form?
The instruction states clearly that the filer must give Form W-4V to the payer, not mail it to the IRS.
→ Confirm the instructions state: "Give Form W-4V to the payer of your payments. Do not send it to the IRS."
What if my employer has a different form?
If the payer gives its own form instead of Form W-4V, the filer must use that specific form provided by the payer.
→ Check Line 1 (General Instructions): "If a payer gives you its own form instead of Form W-4V, use that form."
What if I only want to stop withholding?
The filer must complete lines 1 through 4, check the box on line 7, sign and date it, and give this new form to the payer.
→ Verify the instructions for stopping withholding: "After completing lines 1 through 4, check the box on line 7, and sign and date the form..."
Can I choose any percentage?
For unemployment compensation, only 10% is permitted; for other listed payments, the filer can choose 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%.
→ Review Line 5/6: "For unemployment compensation, the payer is permitted to withhold 10% from each payment. No other percentage or amount is allowed."
What if I want a different rate for my Social Security benefits?
The filer must complete an entirely new Form W-4V specifying the desired rate (7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%) on line 6.
→ Note: "For any other government payment listed above, you may choose to have the payer withhold federal income tax of 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% from each payment..."
What happens if I don't fill it out?
If a filer does not provide a completed and signed Form W-4V, the payer cannot withhold federal income tax from their payments.
→ Check Page 2: "If you don’t provide a completed form that is signed, the payer can’t withhold federal income tax from your payment."
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 1040-ES (Estimated Tax for Individuals) — This is referenced as an alternative action if the filer has income not subject to withholding.
Questions about IRS Form W4V
What is IRS Form W4V used for?
This form tells your payer how much federal income tax to take out of your checks before they reach you. You use it if you want taxes withheld even when not legally required. Completing and submitting Form W-4V ensures the correct amount is taken from your payments.
Who must file IRS Form W4V?
Individuals who receive unemployment compensation or other specified government payments must file IRS Form W-4V.
What information does IRS Form W4V require?
The form collects personal details on lines 1 through 4, including name and SSN. It also requires checking a box on line 5, 6, or 7 to specify the desired withholding rate for different payment types.
When is IRS Form W4V due?
The federal income tax withholding chosen on this form remains in effect until the filer changes or stops it or the payments stop. The source does not state a specific filing deadline date.
Where do I file IRS Form W4V?
Filers must give Form W-4V to the payer of their payments; it should not be sent directly to the IRS. If receiving social security benefits, it can also be submitted to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
How do I complete IRS Form W4V?
First, complete lines 1 through 4 with your identifying information. Next, check one box on line 5 (for unemployment), line 6, or line 7 (to stop withholding). Finally, the form must be signed and dated before giving it to the payer.
What happens if IRS Form W4V is filed incorrectly?
If a filer does not provide a completed and signed Form W-4V, the payer cannot withhold federal income tax from their payment. Providing false or fraudulent information may subject the filer to penalties.
Where do I send this form?
The instruction states clearly that the filer must give Form W-4V to the payer, not mail it to the IRS. Confirm the instructions state: "Give Form W-4V to the payer of your payments. Do not send it to the IRS."
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