acalculator

What should I put on my W-4?

Enter your pay, filing status, and dependents to see what to put on the 2026 Form W-4, what each paycheck will withhold, and the extra amount in Step 4(c) that makes your withholding match your tax for the year. An estimate, not tax advice.

Your numbers

Other income, deductions, and this year so far
Step 4(c) extra withholding
$0.12

Put $0.00 in Step 3 and $0.12 in Step 4(c); each paycheck then withholds $216.15 plus the extra.

Step 3 amount
$0.00
Step 4(a) other income
$0.00
Step 4(b) deductions
$0.00
Withholding a paycheck
$216.15
Withholding for the year
$5,620.00
Federal income tax for the year
$5,623.00
Tax year
2026 Form W-4 and withholding tables
Refund at this withholding
-$3.00

Answer for the example date Wednesday, September 30, 2026. It changes to today's date when the page loads.

Step 4(c) extra withholding: $0.12. Put $0.00 in Step 3 and $0.12 in Step 4(c); each paycheck then withholds $216.15 plus the extra.

Step 4(c) extra withholding by taxable pay a paycheck

The results are estimates for information only. They are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Check the numbers with your lender or a qualified professional before you decide. Terms of use

How to calculate

Works out what to enter in Form W-4 (2026) Steps 3 and 4, the federal tax each paycheck then withholds, and the Step 4(c) extra amount that makes the year’s withholding match your tax.

Example with the default inputs (Filing status (Step 1c) Single or married separately, Taxable pay a paycheck $2,500.00, Pay frequency Every two weeks, Two jobs, or a working spouse (Step 2c) No, Children under 17 0, Other dependents 0, Interest and dividends a year $0.00, Other income a year $0.00, Itemized deductions a year $0.00, Federal tax withheld so far $0.00, Paychecks left this year 26, Today September 30, 2026) on the example date Wednesday, September 30, 2026: Put $0.00 in Step 3 and $0.12 in Step 4(c); each paycheck then withholds $216.15 plus the extra.

Method: Step 3 = $2,200 × children under 17 + $500 × other dependents. Step 4(a) = other income. Step 4(b) = itemized deductions − the standard deduction, not below 0. Withholding a paycheck = Pub 15-T Worksheet 1A with those entries. Tax = Form 1040 tax on pay × paychecks a year + other income, after credits. Step 4(c) = max(0, tax − (withheld so far + withholding × paychecks left)) ÷ paychecks left.

  • An estimate, not tax advice. 2026 federal rates (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), Form W-4 (2026), and Pub 15-T (2026).
  • The job pays the same every paycheck all year; with two jobs, run it for the higher-paying job and include the other job’s pay as other income, or check Step 2(c) on both W-4s when they pay about the same.
  • Step 3 uses the full credits (the W-4 limits Step 3 to incomes of $200,000, or $400,000 jointly, or less). Step 4(b) counts itemized deductions only; the 2026 Deductions Worksheet also takes tips, overtime, car loan interest, and the senior deduction, which are not modelled.
  • Not modelled: self-employment tax, capital gains rates, AMT, the premium tax credit, and education credits. Additional Medicare Tax is withheld separately and left out.

Machine-readable copies: Markdown, JSON.

Worked examples

Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.

  1. Filing status (Step 1c) Single or married separately, Taxable pay a paycheck $2,500.00, Pay frequency Every two weeks, Paychecks left this year 26, Today 2026-01-02 gives Step 3 amount $0.00, Step 4(b) deductions $0.00, Withholding a paycheck $216.15, Withholding for the year $5,620.00, Federal income tax for the year $5,623.00, Step 4(c) extra withholding $0.12.Source: IRS Form W-4 (2026), Pub 15-T (2026) Worksheet 1A, Rev. Proc. 2025-32
  2. Filing status (Step 1c) Married filing jointly, Taxable pay a paycheck $4,000.00, Pay frequency Twice a month, Children under 17 2, Other income a year $10,000.00, Itemized deductions a year $40,000.00, Federal tax withheld so far $1,000.00, Paychecks left this year 12, Today 2026-07-01 gives Step 3 amount $4,400.00, Step 4(a) other income $10,000.00, Step 4(b) deductions $7,800.00, Withholding a paycheck $126.00, Withholding for the year $2,512.00, Federal income tax for the year $3,027.00, Step 4(c) extra withholding $42.92.Source: IRS Form W-4 (2026), Pub 15-T (2026) Worksheet 1A, Rev. Proc. 2025-32
  3. Filing status (Step 1c) Head of household, Taxable pay a paycheck $3,000.00, Pay frequency Every two weeks, Two jobs, or a working spouse (Step 2c) yes, Children under 17 1, Federal tax withheld so far $2,000.00, Paychecks left this year 13, Today 2026-07-01 gives Step 3 amount $2,200.00, Withholding a paycheck $346.75, Withholding for the year $6,507.75, Federal income tax for the year $3,911.00, Refund at this withholding $2,596.75, Step 4(c) extra withholding $0.00.Source: IRS Form W-4 (2026), Pub 15-T (2026) Worksheet 1A, Rev. Proc. 2025-32

How it works

The W-4 entries

  • Step 3 = $2,200 × children under 17 + $500 × other dependents.
  • Step 4(a) = your yearly interest and dividends + other income with no withholding (a pension, unemployment).
  • Step 4(b) = max(0, itemized deductions − the 2026 standard deduction for the filing status: $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household).

Withholding a paycheck with those entries = IRS Publication 15-T (2026) Worksheet 1A: taxable pay × paychecks a year + Step 4(a) − Step 4(b) − $8,600 ($12,900 married filing jointly; nothing with the Step 2 box), looked up in the Annual Percentage Method table (the Step 2 checkbox table when checked), ÷ paychecks a year, less Step 3 ÷ paychecks a year (not below 0). See the federal tax withholding calculator for the tables.

Tax for the year = Form 1040 tax (2026 rates) on pay × paychecks a year + interest and dividends + other income (interest and dividends taxed as ordinary income), less the larger of the standard deduction and itemized deductions, after the child tax credit ($2,200 a child, $500 per other dependent, phased out by $50 per $1,000 over $200,000, or $400,000 jointly), its refundable part, and the earned income credit where you qualify (none when interest and dividends are more than $12,200, IRC 32(i)). Below $100,000 of taxable income the tax follows the Tax Table (the midpoint of the $50 row, rounded to whole dollars). When you enter interest and dividends, the tax also includes the 3.8% net investment income tax (IRC 1411, Form 8960): 3.8% of the smaller of the interest and dividends and the amount by which AGI is over $200,000 ($250,000 married filing jointly, $125,000 married filing separately), as Form 1040 adds it.

Step 4(c) = max(0, tax − (withheld so far + withholding a paycheck × paychecks left)) ÷ paychecks left.

Worked examples by hand

  1. Single, $2,500 every two weeks, all 26 paychecks left. Withholding: 65,000 − 8,600 = 56,400; 1,240 + 12% × 36,500 = 5,620; ÷ 26 = 216.15. Year: 5,620. Tax: 65,000 − 16,100 = 48,900; Tax Table midpoint 48,925: 1,240 + 12% × 36,525 = 5,623. Short by 3, so Step 4(c) = 3 ÷ 26 = $0.12.
  2. Married filing jointly, $4,000 twice a month, 2 children, $10,000 other income, $40,000 itemized, $1,000 withheld so far, 12 paychecks left. Step 3 = 4,400; Step 4(a) = 10,000; Step 4(b) = 40,000 − 32,200 = 7,800. Withholding: 96,000 + 10,000 − 7,800 − 12,900 = 85,300; 2,480 + 12% × 41,200 = 7,424; ÷ 24 = 309.33; − 4,400 ÷ 24 = 126. Year: 1,000 + 126 × 12 = 2,512. Tax: 106,000 − 40,000 = 66,000; midpoint 66,025: 2,480 + 12% × 41,225 = 7,427; − 4,400 = 3,027. Step 4(c) = 515 ÷ 12 = $42.92.
  3. Head of household, $3,000 every two weeks, Step 2 box checked, 1 child, $2,000 withheld, 13 left. Withholding: 78,000 on the checkbox table: 8,077.50 + 24% × 13,075 = 11,215.50; ÷ 26 = 431.37; − 2,200 ÷ 26 = 346.75. Year: 2,000 + 346.75 × 13 = 6,507.75. Tax: 78,000 − 24,150 = 53,850; midpoint 53,875: 1,770 + 12% × 36,175 = 6,111; − 2,200 = 3,911. Refund 2,596.75, so Step 4(c) = $0.

Other questions people ask

How do I fill out a W-4?

Step 1: your name and filing status. Step 2: check the box only if you have two jobs at once, or are married filing jointly and your spouse works, and the jobs pay about the same. Step 3: $2,200 for each child under 17 and $500 for each other dependent. Step 4: other income in 4(a), deductions above the standard deduction in 4(b), and any extra tax per paycheck in 4(c). Step 5: sign it.

What should I put in Step 3 of the W-4?

For 2026, multiply your children under 17 by $2,200 and your other dependents by $500, and add the two. Use Step 3 only if your income is $200,000 or less ($400,000 or less if married filing jointly).

What is Step 4(c) on the W-4?

An extra amount of federal income tax withheld from every paycheck. Use it when the regular withholding would leave you owing tax, for example because of a second job, side income, or a big bonus. This calculator works out the amount that brings this year’s withholding up to your tax.

What goes in Step 4(b)?

Deductions you expect to take beyond the standard deduction: itemized deductions minus the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household). The 2026 form’s Deductions Worksheet also has lines for the deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest, and seniors.

Should I check the Step 2 box?

Check it when you hold two jobs at once, or are married filing jointly and both of you work, and the two jobs pay about the same. It withholds as if each job paid half of a combined income. If the pay is very different, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator or the Multiple Jobs Worksheet instead, and check the box on no W-4.

How often can I change my W-4?

Whenever you like. Give your employer a new form; it must use it no later than the start of the first payroll period ending on or after the 30th day after you hand it in. It is worth checking after a raise, a new child, marriage, or a second job.