Help With How to Fill Out Your W4

A W-4 form is used to make sure you pay the correct amount of federal income tax.

Employers require new employees to complete an Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, or W-4 form. Your employer uses this form to withhold the right amount of federal income tax from your pay. A new form is required if and when your financial or personal situation changes. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the W-4 form with a few easy steps.

Instructions

1. Obtain the W-4 form from your employer.

2. Complete the "Personal Allowance Worksheet", steps A-H. The worksheet is used to calculate the number of deductions, including child tax credits, number of dependents and dependent care expenses.

3. Fill out the bottom section of the W-4 form with your personal information, including your name, Social Security number and address. Check the appropriate box to confirm your marital status. Complete the form by providing the total allowances calculated in the "Personal Allowance Worksheet" section.

4. Sign and date the bottom of the form to confirm that all information provided is true, correct and complete.

5. Return the completed form to your employer and your employer will fill out the remaining fields and add the form to your employee file information.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you accurately count the number of allowances from the top section.

References

• IRS: W-4 Form

Resources

• IRS: Withholding Calculator