Filling out a W-4 is less mind-boggling than you think.
One of the first things you have to do when you get a new job is filling out a Form W-4 [Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate]. It is essential to complete a W-4 correctly because it determines how much tax will be withheld from your pay and how large your tax refund will be.
The first half of the form is pretty easy. You just have to fill in your name, address, and marital status.
Then you have to figure out how many allowances to claim. This number will determine the amount of your withholding.
Number of allowances to claim
Generally, the number of allowances you should claim will correspond to the number of personal and dependency exemptions you can claim on your tax return, but this is not always the case. Claiming zero allowances will result in the maximum amount of tax withheld. Every additional allowance you claim on top of that means that a little less tax is withheld.
You’re a Dependent:
If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return (ie: your parent’s, aunt’s, etc.), you should claim zero allowances. When you’re a dependent, the person who claims you get the benefit of your personal exemption and you, yourself, will end up owing slightly more in taxes. Hence, the tax should be withheld at the maximum rate of zero allowances.
You are Single:
As a single taxpayer, your W-4 form is straightforward enough but you do have several options when it comes to claiming allowances.
- If you’re single with one job, the allowances to exemptions ratio don’t exactly hold true. Most single people claim one allowance. However, this is likely to result in a refund. If you prefer the extra money after filing, then claiming one allowance is the choice for you.
- Claiming two allowances would get you closer to your exact tax liability, but may actually result in some tax due. That being said, you would have more take-home pay throughout the year since your employer wouldn’t be withholding as much tax from your paychecks.
Essentially you can choose whether to claim one or two, depending on the rest of your tax situation, but it’s probably safer to claim one.
You are Married:
Have you tied the knot? This can drastically change your tax situation. Don’t worry; it’s typically for the better. Being married opens up a few doors for you when it comes to tax benefits. You can now file a joint tax return. This is the absolute ideal filing status in regards to taking advantage of your benefits as a taxpayer. In most cases, being married also allows you to claim more allowances on your W-4.
- If you are married with no children, you should claim two allowances.
- If you are married with one child*, you should claim three allowances.
- If you are married with two children*, you should claim four allowances.
Other Situations:
Things get a little more complicated if you have multiple jobs, your spouse works, or you intend to itemize your deductions. In these cases you should turn your attention to page two of the W-4:
- Deductions and Adjustments Worksheet: Use this worksheet if you plan to itemize deductions on your tax return or claim adjustments to your income.
- Two-Earners/Multiple Jobs Worksheet: You will be directed to use this worksheet from the Personal Allowances Worksheet, line h. It is only necessary if you are married and earning a combined income of over $20,000 or if you are single with two jobs earning over $50,000.
The IRS also has a withholding calculator on their website that can give you a second opinion on how many allowances to claim.
The last thing you need to do is figure out if you are exempt from withholding. For most, this is not the case. Essentially, you are only exempt from withholding if all of the following is true:
- you aren’t a dependent,
- you had the right to a refund of all income tax withheld last year, and
- you are not required to file a return this year.
If you are exempt, you can write exempt in line seven. You’re done! All you have to do now is sign the form and hand it over to your employer.
Update Your W-4 For A Larger Refund or More in Your Paycheck
Even if you’ve been at your job for a while, it’s a good idea to monitor and, if necessary, update your W-4 every year. This is especially true if there’s been a major event in your life such as a marriage or the birth of a child.
The goal is to get your refund or tax due as close to $0 as possible. Getting a big refund when you file taxes is a great feeling. It can also trigger that your withholding needs to be adjusted. The reality is that you could be enjoying that money throughout the year instead of having it withheld from your paychecks.
Regardless, during tax season you’ll need to report the total earnings and tax withheld on a tax return. Use RapidTax to file your taxes without a hassle and receive the maximum refund possible!
Hello, I’ve been married to my husband since 2012, I don’t work and we have 3 children, he makes a salary of 2195 gross biweekly he brings home 1650 but during snow he get his salary on top of snow pay, so with his snow pay ontop of his salary during one pay period he grossed 3392 but only brought home 2277 after taxes! So I looked into what he claims on his w4 & it was single claiming 4! Im confused and mad at once because this we have been over paying taxes for almost 3 yrs because he had them wrong… what do we do now??
Hi Kandice,
Completing a W4 and taxes in general can get a bit tricky so I don’t blame you for being confused and angry. I suggest that before your husband updates his W4, you both take a look at the IRS Withholding Calculator. It only takes a few minutes to complete and will give you the most accurate amount of allowances to claim in order to reach that break-even point at the end of the tax year. Once you have done this, your husband can use it as a guideline to complete a W4. The updated W4 will go into effect immediately for the next pay period. (Have your husband double check his pay stub to make sure that everything was in fact, updated.)
Hello I am single and head of house hold., no dependents. Should I claim 1 or 2 allowances. Meanwhile, Im claiming 2 at the moment and the deduction seems large.
Hi Sully,
If you calculate the amount of allowances that you can claim on your W-4, you will find the maximum amount. In your case, the maximum amount that you should be claiming is two allowances. However, you can always claim less.
The general rule is that the more allowances you claim, the less withholding you’ll have taken out of your paycheck. If you claim zero, you’ll have the maximum amount taken out. If you claim a large number, you’ll have less taken out. The absolute ideal scenario is to have your tax liability (or refund) at the end of the year be as close to zero as possible.
Hello,
I´m moving to a new home this week (within the same city, NYC) Do I have to fill a new W4 form now or at the end of the year? Thank you
Hi Tamara,
I suggest updating your payroll department and filling out a new W-4 form. The reason for this is because the W-4 contains a space for your home address. You can definitely keep the amount of allowances the same.
Thanks.
Hello, i have a question. I am 22 years old, my dad still claims for me and my siblings and mother as dependents on his taxes. I only make 18,000 a year from my first job and i am applying to this as my second job. What exactly do i need to fill out on this form. Im so confused. Please help
Hi Robby,
Since your dad claims you on his W4, I suggest claiming zero allowances. Once you start claiming yourself, I suggest increasing that amount to claiming one allowance.