How W-4 withholding works
Your W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck. Getting it right means no surprise bill at tax time and no over-withholding (which is an interest-free loan to the government). This estimator calculates the ideal per-paycheck withholding amount based on your income and filing status.
What is a W-4 form?
A W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck based on your filing status and additional amounts.
How do I claim extra withholding?
Enter the additional dollar amount per paycheck on Step 4(c) of your W-4. This calculator tells you how much extra to claim.
What happens if I under-withhold?
You will owe tax when you file, plus potentially an underpayment penalty if you owe more than $1,000 and paid less than 90% of current or 100% of prior year's tax.