Check your tax withholding
Understand what Form W-4 changes and when to use the official IRS estimator.
You will learnKnow when to review Form W-4 and what to prepare before using the IRS estimator.
Quick scenario
Choose an answer to see the explanation.Does Form W-4 determine your final federal tax bill by itself?
Worked example
Starting a second job
Maya starts a second part-time job while keeping the first. Each employer sees only its own payroll unless Maya provides updated information. Maya reviews the current W-4 instructions and uses the IRS estimator with recent pay information before changing withholding.
- 01Gather recent pay statements
- 02Include each relevant job
- 03Use the IRS estimator
Key ideas
Three things to know
What Form W-4 does
An employee gives Form W-4 to an employer so the employer can calculate federal income-tax withholding. Withholding is a prepayment toward a possible tax bill; it is not the same as the final amount owed or refunded after a return is filed.
When to review it
A new job, more than one job, a large income change, or a change in personal circumstances can make a review useful. Do not copy someone else's form. The correct entries depend on the individual's situation.
Read more
- Use the current form and instructions
- Gather recent pay information
- Include all relevant jobs in the official estimator
- Keep private tax information off unofficial sites
Use official help
The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help someone prepare a new W-4. It provides an estimate, not individualized legal or tax advice. A qualified tax professional may be appropriate for self-employment, complex credits, or other situations the basic tool does not cover.
Practice
Prepare before changing withholding
Use information you can confirm as you work through the checklist.
Interactive checklist
Prepare for the IRS estimator
This checklist stores nothing and does not calculate a tax result.
Knowledge check
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 2