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Tax forms › W-4

Forms you give someone

Form W-4

Telling your employer how much tax to withhold

When it's dueWhen you start a job. Update it after a marriage, a new child, a second job or a big refund or bill.

What it is

You give it to your employer, not the IRS. It sets how much federal tax is taken from each paycheck, based on your filing status, other jobs, dependents and extra deductions.

Who it's for

Employees, when they start a job or want to change their withholding.

Good to know

  • Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to fill it in accurately.
  • Nonresident employees follow special instructions (Notice 1392) and generally check single.

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The law behind it

§ 3402

Related forms

W-9Giving your taxpayer ID to someone who pays youW-8BENTelling a US payer you're a foreign person

All tax forms

General information, not tax or legal advice. Check the current IRS instructions for the form before you file.