Federal Form W-4 helper (2026)
A guide to completing the IRS Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, when you start a new job. Answer the questions that apply to you and we'll show what to enter in each step.
Your answers stay on your device. This page doesn't ask for your name, address, or Social Security number, and nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. The only outside request is loading fonts from Google (the page still works offline with a system font fallback). You'll complete and sign the official form yourself.
1Your filing status (Step 1c)
Which one is it? This only matters if you work through the deductions worksheet in question 5.
2Are you exempt from withholding?
Most people aren't. You may claim exemption only if you had no federal income tax liability in 2025 and you expect none in 2026. If you're exempt, no federal income tax is withheld from your pay and you may owe tax and penalties at filing time.
3Do you have more than one job? (Step 2)
Answer yes if you hold more than one job at a time, or you're married filing jointly and your spouse also works. The right amount to withhold depends on all of that income together.
Pick one method.
Annual pay for each job
Enter your expected yearly wages before taxes. Leave a job blank if you don't have it. If you're married filing jointly, include your spouse's job.
4Children and other dependents (Step 3)
This reduces your withholding by the credits you expect to claim.
$2,200 each. Must be your dependent, live with you more than half the year, and have the required Social Security number.
$500 each. Includes older children and qualifying relatives.
Such as education credits or the foreign tax credit. Enter your best yearly estimate.
You have more than one job, so complete Steps 3 and 4(a)–(b) on only one W-4: the one for your highest-paying job. Leave them blank on the others.
5Other adjustments (Step 4)
Interest, dividends, or retirement income that has no tax withheld. Don't include job or self-employment income. Skip this if you prefer to make estimated tax payments.
4(b) Deductions
Estimates for 2026 are fine. Leave anything that doesn't apply at zero.
Tips, overtime, and car loans
Seniors
Adjustments to income
Itemized deductions
Only fill these in if you expect to itemize. The worksheet will compare them with the standard deduction for you.
Only the part above 7.5% of income counts. We'll calculate that.
Only the part above 0.5% of income counts. We'll calculate that.
Counts up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly).
4(c) Extra withholding
Entering an amount lowers each paycheck and raises your refund (or lowers what you owe) at filing time.
What to enter on your W-4
- Enter your name, address, and Social Security number (Step 1a and 1b) on the official form yourself. Make sure your name matches your Social Security card.
- Sign and date the form in Step 5. It isn't valid without your signature. Leave the "Employers Only" box for your employer.
- Give the form to your employer. Don't send it to the IRS.
- Submit a new W-4 whenever your situation changes, such as marriage, a new child, a second job, or a large change in other income.
This helper is a general guide based on the 2026 IRS Form W-4 and its instructions. It isn't tax advice and doesn't replace the official form or the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator. Provided as a courtesy by Orsborn, Sutphen & O'Neal, P.A., Certified Public Accountants · 208 George St, Greenwood, MS 38930 · (662) 453-4175 · contact@osocpa.com · Mississippi CPA Firm Permit No. F0571 · Mississippi CPA license numbers are listed on Licensing. Questions? Contact our office.