Instructions For the W-4 Exemption Form
The W-4 exemption form is the form that you typically fill out each time you start a new job. In fact, it must be filled out before you can get your first paycheck. The W-4 exemption form is the Internal Revenue Service form used to figure your withholding amount for federal taxes. You can change or update the W-4 exemption form as many times as you like. Once you get your paycheck, you may decide that you need to make an adjustment to your withholding amount, which you can do simply by filing a new W-4 exemption form with your employer.
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Instructions
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Complete the "personal allowances worksheet" section of the form first. Lines A through G are for your exemptions and you total them up on line H. Enter a "1" on line A if no one else claims you as a dependent on his taxes; usually this would occur if you are student or under age 18. Also enter "1" for line B if you have one job. If you are married, enter a "1" for line C unless you have a working spouse or more than one job. For line D, enter in the number of other dependents that you want to claim. Read lines E and F then enter a "1" for each only if they apply to you. Line G is the child tax credit, which you only need to read and complete if you have a child. If you do, read the details and enter a number that corresponds with what the lines tell you to enter based on the number of children that you have. Add up lines A through G and enter the total on line H.
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Enter in your name, address, Social Security number and filing status on lines "1" through "4" in the next section. For line "5," enter the total from line H above. If you need any additional money withheld for taxes from your paycheck, enter the amount you want withheld each time on line "6." Read the exemption criteria listed on line "7" to see if it applies to you. If so, enter in "exempt;" otherwise, you can leave it blank.
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Sign your name in the "employee signature" box and enter in the date that you sign it. Be sure the name you sign matches that name you printed in the box for line "1" above. Leave lines "8" through "10" blank because they must be filled out by your employer.
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Give your completed W-4 form to your boss or human resources department for processing.
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Tips & Warnings
The lower the number of allowances that you claim on line "H" and line "5," the more taxes are withheld from each paycheck.
