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How to Fill Out Your W-4 Form and When to Adjust It
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do not influence our editors’ opinions or ratingsHow to Fill Out Your W-4 Form and When to Adjust It
Most people only fill out a W-4 when they start a new job, but there are times when it may be worth revisiting.
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Content Management Specialist
2 years of experience Expertise Personal income taxes Investing basics Investment fundsBella Avila is a content management specialist on the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. Previously, she was a copy editing intern at NerdWallet through the Dow Jones News Fund internship program. Bella graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Bella Avila is a content management specialist on the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. Previously, she was a copy editing intern at NerdWallet through the Dow Jones News Fund internship program. Bella graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Content Management Specialist + more + more
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Lei Han, Ph.D., is an associate professor of accounting at Niagara University in Western New York and a New York state-licensed CPA. She obtained her Ph.D. in accounting with a minor in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her teaching expertise is advanced accounting and governmental and nonprofit accounting. She is a member of the American Accounting Association and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. At NerdWallet, our content goes through a rigorous editorial review process. We have such confidence in our accurate and useful content that we let outside experts inspect our work. Professor of accounting + more + more
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Expertise Taxes InvestingSabrina Parys is an editor and content strategist on the taxes and investing team at NerdWallet, where she manages and writes content on personal income taxes. Her previous experience includes five years as a copy editor and associate editor in academic and educational publishing. She is based in Brooklyn, New York.
Sabrina Parys is an editor and content strategist on the taxes and investing team at NerdWallet, where she manages and writes content on personal income taxes. Her previous experience includes five years as a copy editor and associate editor in academic and educational publishing. She is based in Brooklyn, New York. Published in Editor & Content Strategist + more + more
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23 years of experience Expertise Taxes Small business Social Security and estate planning Home services RIATina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets. Published in Editor & Content Strategist + more + moreWhat is a W-4 form?
What is a W-4 form?A W-4 form is an IRS document you fill out and submit to your employer. It asks about your tax filing status, other jobs you or your spouse has, and credits and deductions you expect to take. Employers then use this information to calculate how much tax to withhold from your paycheck throughout the year. That withholding can affect whether you get a refund or owe money when you file your tax return.
A W-4 form is an IRS document you fill out and submit to your employer. It asks about your tax filing status, other jobs you or your spouse has, and credits and deductions you expect to take. Employers then use this information to calculate how much tax to withhold from your paycheck throughout the year. That withholding can affect whether you get a refund or owe money when you file your tax return.How to fill out a W-4
How to fill out a W-4Adding your personal details and signing the form is straightforward — but what about all the steps in between? Our guide makes the hard-to-read parts easier to understand.
Adding your personal details and signing the form is straightforward — but what about all the steps in between? Our guide makes the hard-to-read parts easier to understand.Step 1: Enter your personal information
Step 1: Enter your personal informationFill in your name, address, Social Security number and tax filing status. Your tax filing status helps determine whether you might qualify for certain tax credits and deductions.
Fill in your name, address, Social Security number and tax filing status. Your tax filing status helps determine whether you might qualify for certain tax credits and deductions.Step 2: Account for all jobs or your spouse’s income
Step 2: Account for all jobs or your spouse’s incomeIf you have more than one job, or you file jointly and your spouse works, you have a few options for completing this step. You can choose from the following options:
If you have more than one job, or you file jointly and your spouse works, you have a few options for completing this step. You can choose from the following options:Option 2(a): Enter income amounts from all jobs into the IRS' withholding estimator to determine your withholding. Per the IRS, this option is generally the most accurate and can be especially helpful if you or your spouse has self-employment income.
Option 2(a): Option 2(a): Enter income amounts from all jobs into the IRS' withholding estimator to determine your withholding. Per the IRS, this option is generally the most accurate and can be especially helpful if you or your spouse has self-employment income.Option 2(b): Complete the Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page three of only the highest-paying job's W-4.
Option 2(b): Option 2(b): Complete the Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page three of only the highest-paying job's W-4.Option 2(c): Check this box on both W-4s if you (or you and your spouse) have a total of two jobs and make roughly the same amount at both.
Option 2(c): Option 2(c): Check this box on both W-4s if you (or you and your spouse) have a total of two jobs and make roughly the same amount at both.Important note → If you filled out Step 2, you'll only fill out Steps 3 through 4(b) on the W-4 of the highest-paying job. Leave these steps blank on the other W-4(s).
Important note → Important note → If you filled out Step 2, you'll only fill out Steps 3 through 4(b) on the W-4 of the highest-paying job. Leave these steps blank on the other W-4(s).Not following these instructions can result in inaccurate withholding. For instance, if you claim the child tax credit on both W-4s, you may not have enough tax withheld to cover what you owe.
Not following these instructions can result in inaccurate withholding. For instance, if you claim the child tax credit on both W-4s, you may not have enough tax withheld to cover what you owe.Step 3: Claim dependents, including children
Step 3: Claim dependents, including childrenIf your total income is $200,000 or less — or $400,000 if filing jointly — enter how many kids and dependents you have and multiply them by the respective credit amounts. (See the rules about the child tax credit and when you can claim a tax dependent.)
If your total income is $200,000 or less — or $400,000 if filing jointly — enter how many kids and dependents you have and multiply them by the respective credit amounts. (See the rules about the child tax credit and when you can claim a tax dependent .)You can also choose not to claim dependents — even if you have them — if you need more taxes taken out of your paycheck to reduce your tax bill.
You can also choose not to claim dependents — even if you have them — if you need more taxes taken out of your paycheck to reduce your tax bill.Step 4: Refine your withholdings
Step 4: Refine your withholdingsIf you want extra tax withheld or expect to claim deductions other than the standard deduction when you do your taxes, you can note that in this section.
If you want extra tax withheld or expect to claim deductions other than the standard deduction when you do your taxes, you can note that in this section.Line 4(a): Note any income you expect to receive that won't have taxes withheld, such as retirement or interest income.
Line 4(a): Line 4(a): Note any income you expect to receive that won't have taxes withheld, such as retirement or interest income.Line 4(b): Fill this out if you plan to itemize your deductions. You can use the Deductions Worksheet on page four for guidance.
Line 4(b): Line 4(b): Fill this out if you plan to itemize your deductions. You can use the Deductions Worksheet on page four for guidance.Line 4(c): Enter any extra tax you want withheld from each paycheck.
Line 4(c): Line 4(c): Enter any extra tax you want withheld from each paycheck.Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
Step 5: Sign and date your W-4Once completed, give the signed form to your employer's human resources or payroll team. You may also be able to fill it out online through your employer's payroll system.
Once completed, give the signed form to your employer's human resources or payroll team. You may also be able to fill it out online through your employer's payroll system.When should you update your W-4?
When should you update your W-4?You don’t have to fill out a new W-4 form every year if you already have one on file with your employer, but it's a good idea to check on your tax withholding at least annually and as your life changes. Life events like divorce, marriage, new dependents or side gigs can change how much tax you might owe
You don’t have to fill out a new W-4 form every year if you already have one on file with your employer, but it's a good idea to check on your tax withholding at least annually and as your life changes. Life events like divorce, marriage, new dependents or side gigs can change how much tax you might oweHow to adjust your W-4
How to adjust your W-4If you usually get a big tax bill when you file your tax return and don’t want another, you can tweak your withholding to help you owe less (or nothing) next time you file.
If you usually get a big tax bill when you file your tax return and don’t want another, you can tweak your withholding to help you owe less (or nothing) next time you file.To have more taxes taken out of your paychecks, you might:
To have more taxes taken out of your paychecks, you might: To have more taxes taken out of your paychecks, you might:Reduce the number of dependents.
Reduce the number of dependents.Add an extra amount to withhold on line 4(c).
Add an extra amount to withhold on line 4(c).On the other hand, if you get a big refund at tax time, you may be giving the government a free loan and living on less of your paycheck throughout the year.
On the other hand, if you get a big refund at tax time, you may be giving the government a free loan and living on less of your paycheck throughout the year.To have less taxes taken out of your paychecks, you might:
To have less taxes taken out of your paychecks, you might To have less taxes taken out of your paychecks, you might :Increase the number of dependents.
Increase the number of dependents.Reduce the number on line 4(a) or 4(c).
Reduce the number on line 4(a) or 4(c).Increase the number on line 4(b).
Increase the number on line 4(b).How often can you adjust your W-4?
How often can you adjust your W-4?You can give your employer a new W-4 at any time — tinkering is OK. That means you can fill out a new form, submit it and then review your next paycheck to see how much money was withheld.
You can give your employer a new W-4 at any time — tinkering is OK. That means you can fill out a new form, submit it and then review your next paycheck to see how much money was withheld.You can then start estimating how much you'll have taken out of your paychecks for the full year. If it doesn't seem like it'll be enough to cover your whole tax bill, or if it seems like it'll end up being way too much, you can submit another W-4 and adjust.
You can then start estimating how much you'll have taken out of your paychecks for the full year. If it doesn't seem like it'll be enough to cover your whole tax bill, or if it seems like it'll end up being way too much, you can submit another W-4 and adjust. 06:04Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questionsYou used to be able to claim allowances on your W-4 to lower the amount of federal income tax withheld from your wages, but a 2017 tax bill did away with personal exemptions.
You used to be able to claim allowances on your W-4 to lower the amount of federal income tax withheld from your wages, but a 2017 tax bill did away with personal exemptions.With the current W-4, employees who want to lower their tax withholding must claim dependents or use a deductions worksheet.
With the current W-4, employees who want to lower their tax withholding must claim dependents or use a deductions worksheet.Being exempt means your employer won’t withhold federal income tax from your pay. (Social Security and Medicare taxes will still come out of your check, though.)
Being exempt means your employer won’t withhold federal income tax from your pay. (Social Security and Medicare taxes will still come out of your check, though.)If you meet the qualifications to be exempt from withholding, check the box under Step 4. You still need to complete steps 1 and 5. Also, you’ll need to submit a new W-4 every year if you plan to keep claiming exemption from withholding.
If you meet the qualifications to be exempt from withholding, check the box under Step 4. You still need to complete steps 1 and 5. Also, you’ll need to submit a new W-4 every year if you plan to keep claiming exemption from withholding.Unless you live in a state without income tax, you’ll probably have to fill out a state tax withholding form, too. State tax withholding forms often look different than the federal one and have their own unique set of instructions.
Unless you live in a state without income tax, you’ll probably have to fill out a state tax withholding form, too. State tax withholding forms often look different than the federal one and have their own unique set of instructions.It's important to understand how your state form works to ensure you don't end up over- or underpaying your state taxes. You can usually get a copy from your state’s department of revenue website.
It's important to understand how your state form works to ensure you don't end up over- or underpaying your state taxes. You can usually get a copy from your state’s department of revenue website. About the authors Bella Avila Bella Avila Bella Avila is a content management specialist on the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. See full bio. Tina Orem Tina Orem Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Before becoming an editor and content strategist, she was NerdWallet's authority on taxes and small business. Her work has appeared in a variety of local and national outlets. See full bio.Helpful resources
Helpful resources Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction: What It Is, Who Qualifies Federal Income Tax Calculator and Refund Estimator 2025-2026 How to Find the Best Tax Preparer Near You More like this Taxes FICA Tax: Definition and How It Works in 2026 FICA is a payroll tax that goes toward funding Social Security and Medicare. Employees and employers split the total cost. 2 By Tina Orem, Sabrina Parys What Is a W-2 Form? Definition, How to Read It Your W-2 form, or Wage and Tax Statement, helps you to fill out your annual tax return. Here's more on how to understand the form and what to do if it’s wrong. 2 By Bella Avila, Tina Orem 401(k) Taxes on Contributions and Withdrawals in 2025-2026 Contributing to a traditional 401(k) could reduce your tax bill now, but you’ll likely pay tax when you withdraw the money in retirement. 2 By Tina Orem, June Sham