01/22/2026
Form W4 Walkthrough ⤵️
Step 1 – Filing Status
-Choose your status: Single / Married Filing Separately or Married Filing Jointly.
If you’d like a higher amount of taxes withheld, you can select Single/MFS even if you are married.
Do NOT select Head of Household, it can cause under withholding!
Step 2 – Multiple Jobs / Spouse Works
-Check the box in 2c if:
-You have more than one job, or
-Your spouse works, or
-You have extra income
-You tend to owe taxes at the end of the year.
Step 3 – Dependents
-Multiply the number of qualifying children under age 17 by $2,000
-Multiply the number of other dependents by ($500)
ADD Them Together
For Example: 2 kids under 17 = $4,000.
One additional dependent = $500.
Total = $4,500.
FYI: To avoid underpayment, consider putting fewer dependents here than you actually have (e.g., if you have 2, put 1). This allows more taxes to be withheld, and you’ll get any extra back at tax time.
Step 4 – Other Adjustments
-4a & 4b → put 0
-4c → Extra withholding: If you’re still ending up with a balance due after following the steps above, you can add a flat amount here to be withheld each paycheck.