The last thing you want to do is frantically run up to your boss asking “How many allowances do I claim on my W-4?”.
Being aware of the number of allowances you are claiming on a Form W-4 [Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate] is important for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, the number of allowances you claim on a W-4 determines the following;
- how much tax will be taken from your income (aka the withholding amount)
- the size of your tax refund
Steps to filling out a W-4
You’ll need to follow four simple steps when filling out your W-4 Form:
- Fill out your personal information (Name, Date of Birth, Address, Marital Status)
- Know the number of personal and dependency exemptions you are claiming on your tax return.
- Based on the number from step 2, use that number to help determine your number of allowances.
- Don’t forget to sign the W-4 and turn it into your employer!
The allowances you claim while filling out a W-4 if you are single will differ from the allowances you claim if you are married or have kids.
Claiming zero allowances
- The maximum amount of tax is withheld. Meaning, when it comes time to file your tax return you will most likely receive a refund.
- You’re being claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
Claiming one allowance (ideal if you are single with one job)
- You’re single and have one job. Claiming one allowance will most likely result in a refund when you file your taxes.
Claiming two allowances
- You are single. Claiming two allowances will get you close to your tax liability but may result in tax due when filing your taxes.
- You’re single and work more than one job. Claim one allowance at each job or two allowances at one job and zero at the other.
- You’re married.
Claiming three allowances
- You are married with one child.
Claiming additional allowances
- File as head of household if you are eligible. You are able to claim additional allowances.
- You had at least $2,000 of child or dependent care expenses that you plan on claiming credit
- You’re eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit
Can I fill out a new W-4 form?
Yes, employees can submit a new W-4 form to their employee at any time during their employment. Have you recently started a second job, had a baby, or tied the knot? Life changes such as these should encourage you to update your W-4 withholding.
A great tool to help you while filling out a W-4 is the IRS Withholding Calculator, located on the IRS website.
Claiming zero allowances means less take home pay, but a bigger tax refund during tax season.
The number you report on a W-4 will ultimately determine your take home pay and your tax refund. Don’t write down any number. Take the few extra minutes to really assess your situation and fill in the W-4 accordingly. By doing so you’re less likely find yourself in a difficult financial situation.
Then, when you’re ready to file your taxes, you’ll have a heads up on whether or not you’ll be receiving a tax refund!
I am newly divorced and work 40 hours a week and make $10 an hour. I have legal custody of my son and I am a single parent. How many allowances should I claim and I do want a bigger paycheck, month to month, but I dont want to owe taxes at the end of the year either. I do want a return. How many allowances should I claim and do I file as head of household?
You qualify for head of household if you have a dependent to claim on your tax return. Claiming around 3-4 allowances would be the appropriate number of allowances that you would qualify for. However, it’s always best to claim less if you are unsure.
HELLO, I love your site and hopefully I can get this response this morning before I fill out my w4 for my new job!
We are married but it will seems like next year we will be separated.
We have 3 children and i would like the MOST out of my paycheck and NOT owe at the end. We have been claiming “0” for 14 years for both of us and we always get the most back at the end.
MY QUESTIONS
I am familiar with the general rule, the more allowances you claim on #5 on your W4 the less out of your bi weekly check, so should I claim:
1 for myself
1 for our oldest
1 for our middle
1 for the youngest
—————————
Total of 4 or be on the safe side and claim 3
AND we are still married “officially” so I need to claim > married?
So if you could please answer these questions above that would be great, your the best!!!!!!!!!
T-H-A-N-K-Y-O-U-!
From the situation that you have outlined, claiming around 8-10 allowances on your return, 8 being the safer amount to claim would be for the best. As long as the child expenses are at least $2,000 dollars per child, claiming the child care credit for all three will be fine.
You will need to continue to file as married until the year you receive your finalized forms for separation. Within the year that you receive these official forms, is when you will be able to file single or head of household.
I’m starting a new job and I’m not sure what to put on my W4. I’m married, wife does not work and we have 3 kids together. According to the Personal Allowances Worksheet, I can have a total of 11 allowances. Does this seem correct?
According to the W-4, claiming around 8-10 allowances would be fine. It may be best to claim around 8 allowances just to be safe. For the Child care credit, you must ensure that each child has a care expense of at least $2,000 dollars in order for all three to qualify.
Hi, I just started a job as of this week, it’s part time I am making $9 an hour and only working 15 hrs a week. I have one dependent and I am single. How many allowances should I claim? Also I tried the irs Withholding calculator and it came out as exempt so I am confused .
I also wanted to add that I haven’t worked all year I just started working after 2 years.
From the situation that you have outlined, it seems that you will be claiming yourself, and filing a tax return for yourself with your child. If you qualify for head of household and are claiming this, with the income that you have stated that you will be earning, you are qualified to be exempt from taxation for the year. Please do note that your W-4 is subjected to changes every year, so it is always best to update this when your situation or earnings change. You can update your W-4 upon request to your employer.
If you are not being claimed as a dependent and are filing your tax return with your dependent, the income that you will be earning for the year, from the information you have outlined, is exempt from Federal taxes. You qualify for this because your standard deduction and your exemption have reduced your taxable income to zero.
I am married, living with my husband, and we have two dependent children. I make almost $120,000 per year and my husband makes $80,000 per year. We own a home with a mortgage that we pay property taxes on and of course mortgage loan interest. I’m wondering if we should file as married filing jointly or if head of household or something would be better if it’s even an option. Also wondering what exemptions each of us should claim on our W4’s. We each have had 4 exemptions on our W4’s and if it weren’t for our home business income losses these last few years, we would have had to pay a lot to the IRS in taxes that weren’t taken out of our checks. But for 2017 we won’t have as many home business income losses so I’m worried we’ll have to pay a lot in taxes. 4 exemptions on my check only takes out about 11% of my income for federal taxes and about the same for my husband when apparently it should be more like 18% or so? So how should we file (married filing jointly, head of household, etc) and what exemptions should each of us claim on our W4’s? Thanks!
Hello Kristine,
Based on this information, it sounds like you should contact your Payroll Department for a recommendation. It is entirely up to you on how many allowances you should each claim on your W-4. Keep in mind, the more allowances, the less taxes taken out, vice versa. You have the option to file married filing jointly or married filing separately.