IRS Form W-4
Tell your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay.
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About IRS Form W-4
Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, tells your employer how much federal income tax to take out of each paycheck. You give it to your employer when you start a job and any time your situation changes, such as marriage, a new child, or a second job.
This page is a general guide and a fillable helper, not tax advice. Always download and file the current official form from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4 and confirm the fields match before you sign.
Who needs to complete it
- New employees setting up federal withholding with a US employer.
- Current employees whose life or income changed and want to update withholding.
- People with more than one job or a working spouse who need to adjust withholding.
- Anyone who wants to claim dependents or account for other income and deductions.
How to fill out IRS Form W-4
- 1In Step 1, enter your name, address, Social Security number, and filing status.
- 2Complete Step 2 only if you hold more than one job at a time or you are married filing jointly and your spouse also works.
- 3In Step 3, if your income is under the limit, enter the amount for qualifying children and other dependents.
- 4In Step 4, add any other income, extra deductions, or an additional amount you want withheld each pay period.
- 5Leave steps that do not apply blank so your withholding is based on the standard amounts.
- 6Sign and date the form in Step 5, which is required for it to be valid.
- 7Give the completed form to your employer, not to the IRS.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I have to fill out all the steps?
No. Steps 1 and 5 are required for everyone. Steps 2 through 4 are only for people with multiple jobs, dependents, or other income and deductions. This is a general guide, not tax advice.
When should I update my W-4?
Update it after a change such as marriage, divorce, a new child, a second job, or a big change in income, so your withholding stays close to what you owe.
Will this make my refund bigger or smaller?
Withholding more during the year can lead to a larger refund, and withholding less can mean more take-home pay but a smaller refund or a balance due. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you plan.
Is this the official IRS form?
This is a fillable helper. Always download and file the current official form from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4 and confirm the fields match.