General Instructions
Future Developments
For the latest information about developments related to
Form W-4, such as legislation enacted after it was published,
go to www.irs.gov/FormW4.
Purpose of Form
Complete Form W-4 so that your employer can withhold the
correct federal income tax from your pay. If too little is
withheld, you will generally owe tax when you file your tax
return and may owe a penalty. If too much is withheld, you
will generally be due a refund. Complete a new Form W-4
when changes to your personal or financial situation would
change the entries on the form. For more information on
withholding and when you must furnish a new Form W-4,
see Pub. 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.
Exemption from withholding. You may claim exemption
from withholding for 2021 if you meet both of the following
conditions: you had no federal income tax liability in 2020
and you expect to have no federal income tax liability in
2021. You had no federal income tax liability in 2020 if (1)
your total tax on line 24 on your 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR
is zero (or less than the sum of lines 27, 28, 29, and 30), or
(2) you were not required to file a return because your
income was below the filing threshold for your correct filing
status. If you claim exemption, you will have no income tax
withheld from your paycheck and may owe taxes and
penalties when you file your 2021 tax return. To claim
exemption from withholding, certify that you meet both of
the conditions above by writing “Exempt” on Form W-4 in
the space below Step 4(c). Then, complete Steps 1(a), 1(b),
and 5. Do not complete any other steps. You will need to
submit a new Form W-4 by February 15, 2022.
Your privacy. If you prefer to limit information provided in
Steps 2 through 4, use the online estimator, which will also
increase accuracy.
As an alternative to the estimator: if you have concerns
with Step 2(c), you may choose Step 2(b); if you have
concerns with Step 4(a), you may enter an additional amount
you want withheld per pay period in Step 4(c). If this is the
only job in your household, you may instead check the box
in Step 2(c), which will increase your withholding and
significantly reduce your paycheck (often by thousands of
dollars over the year).
When to use the estimator. Consider using the estimator at
www.irs.gov/W4App if you:
1. Expect to work only part of the year;
2. Have dividend or capital gain income, or are subject to
additional taxes, such as Additional Medicare Tax;
3. Have self-employment income (see below); or
4. Prefer the most accurate withholding for multiple job
situations.
Self-employment. Generally, you will owe both income and
self-employment taxes on any self-employment income you
receive separate from the wages you receive as an
employee. If you want to pay these taxes through
withholding from your wages, use the estimator at
www.irs.gov/W4App to figure the amount to have withheld.
Nonresident alien. If you’re a nonresident alien, see Notice
1392, Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident
Aliens, before completing this form