Specific Instructions
Step 1(c). Check your anticipated filing status. This will
determine the standard deduction and tax rates used to
compute your withholding.
Step 2. Use this step if you (1) have more than one job at the
same time, or (2) are married filing jointly and you and your
spouse both work.
If you (and your spouse) have a total of only two jobs, you
may check the box in option (c). The box must also be
checked on the Form W-4 for the other job. If the box is
checked, the standard deduction and tax brackets will be
cut in half for each job to calculate withholding. This option
is roughly accurate for jobs with similar pay; otherwise, more
tax than necessary may be withheld, and this extra amount
will be larger the greater the difference in pay is between the
two jobs.
CAUTION Multiple jobs.
Complete Steps 3 through 4(b) on only
one Form W-4. Withholding will be most accurate if
you do this on the Form W-4 for the highest paying job.
Step 3. This step provides instructions for determining the
amount of the child tax credit and the credit for other
dependents that you may be able to claim when you file your
tax return. To qualify for the child tax credit, the child must
be under age 17 as of December 31, must be your
dependent who generally lives with you for more than half
the year, and must have the required social security number.
You may be able to claim a credit for other dependents for
whom a child tax credit can’t be claimed, such as an older
child or a qualifying relative. For additional eligibility
requirements for these credits, see Pub. 501, Dependents,
Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. You can also
include other tax credits for which you are eligible in this
step, such as the foreign tax credit and the education tax
credits. To do so, add an estimate of the amount for the year
to your credits for dependents and enter the total amount in
Step 3. Including these credits will increase your paycheck
and reduce the amount of any refund you may receive when
you file your tax return.
Step 4 (optional).
Step 4(a). Enter in this step the total of your other
estimated income for the year, if any. You shouldn’t include
income from any jobs or self-employment. If you complete
Step 4(a), you likely won’t have to make estimated tax
payments for that income. If you prefer to pay estimated tax
rather than having tax on other income withheld from your
paycheck, see Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.
Step 4(b). Enter in this step the amount from the
Deductions Worksheet, line 5, if you expect to claim
deductions other than the basic standard deduction on your
2023 tax return and want to reduce your withholding to
account for these deductions. This includes both itemized
deductions and other deductions such as for student loan
interest and IRAs.
Step 4(c). Enter in this step any additional tax you want
withheld from your pay each pay period, including any
amounts from the Multiple Jobs Worksheet, line 4. Entering
an amount here will reduce your paycheck and will either
increase your refund or reduce any amount of tax that you
owe.