About the W-4 Withholding Calculator
This W-4 calculator tells you how to fill out Form W-4 so the federal tax taken from your paychecks lands where you want it — close to zero, or a specific refund. It projects your 2026 federal income tax, adds up what has been withheld so far plus what your remaining paychecks will withhold, and works out the extra amount per paycheck to enter in Step 4(c), or how much you are over-withholding.
It also gives the Step 3 figure for dependents ($2,200 per child under 17) and the Step 4(b) figure for deductions above the standard deduction. Use it after a raise, a new job, marriage, a new baby, or whenever last year’s refund or tax bill was bigger than you would like. It works best mid-year because it uses your actual year-to-date withholding from your latest pay stub.
Calculations use the official 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, and the $2,200 Child Tax Credit (up to $1,700 refundable). For two-earner households, enter combined wages on one line and use the result on the higher-paid spouse’s W-4. Assumptions: the newer 2025–2028 deductions for tips, overtime, car-loan interest and the extra $6,000 for those 65+ are not modelled (add them to the itemized box only if you understand they are taken on top of the standard deduction, or use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator); the $500 credit for other dependents, education credits, state withholding, FICA and self-employment tax are not included.
With the default inputs, the extra withholding per paycheck — w-4 step 4(c) is $22.86. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the w-4 withholding calculator
- 1Choose your filing status and enter your expected wages for the whole year.
- 2Enter year-to-date federal withholding and current withholding per paycheck from your latest pay stub.
- 3Enter the number of paychecks left this year and your target refund (0 to break even).
- 4Add other income, itemized deductions and children if they apply.
- 5Put the Step 3, 4(b) and 4(c) amounts on a new W-4 and give it to your employer.
Formula and method
Projected tax is 2026 federal income tax on wages plus other income, minus the larger of the standard or itemized deduction, less the Child Tax Credit ($2,200 per child, partly refundable). Projected withholding is what you have already had withheld plus your current per-paycheck withholding times the paychecks left.
If projected tax plus your target refund exceeds projected withholding, the shortfall is spread over the remaining paychecks — that is the Step 4(c) extra withholding. If it is negative you are over-withholding, and the calculator shows how much less you could have withheld per paycheck. Step 3 and Step 4(b) figures are the standard W-4 entries for dependents and above-standard deductions.
- Step 3
- Children under 17 × $2,200
- Step 4(b)
- Itemized deductions − standard deduction
- Step 4(c)
- Extra federal withholding per paycheck
Worked examples
Single, $80,000, 7 paychecks left
Tax on $63,900 of taxable income is $8,770. Withholding so far ($6,300) plus 7 × $330 projects to $8,610, so you would owe $160. Adding about $22.86 per paycheck in Step 4(c) brings you to break-even.
Aim for a $500 refund with $5,000 of side income
The side income adds $1,100 of tax at 22%, pushing the total to $9,870. To finish with a $500 refund you need $10,370 withheld — $1,760 more than projected, or about $251.43 extra on each of the 7 remaining paychecks.
Married with two kids, over-withholding
Joint tax on $87,800 is $10,040, and the $4,400 Child Tax Credit cuts it to $5,640. The couple has already withheld $9,000 and would withhold another $3,150, heading for a $6,510 refund — they have already covered the year’s tax, so they could claim the $4,400 Step 3 credit and even stopping all withholding for the last 7 paychecks would still leave a refund of about $3,360 ($9,000 − $5,640).
Frequently asked questions
How do I fill out a W-4 to owe nothing?+
Complete Step 1, then Step 2 if you have two jobs, Step 3 for dependents and Step 4 for other income or deductions. If a calculator shows a shortfall, add the extra per-paycheck amount in Step 4(c).
Are there still allowances on the W-4?+
No. Allowances were removed in 2020. The current W-4 uses dollar amounts instead: credits for dependents in Step 3, other income in 4(a), deductions in 4(b) and extra withholding in 4(c).
How often can I change my W-4?+
As often as you like. Submit a new W-4 to your employer’s payroll or HR team; changes normally take effect within one or two pay cycles.
What should two-earner couples do on the W-4?+
Either check the Step 2(c) box on both spouses’ forms when pay is similar, or use combined figures and put all the extra withholding and adjustments on the higher earner’s W-4, leaving the other spouse’s Steps 3 and 4 blank.
Why is my withholding too low even though my W-4 is correct?+
Common causes are a second job, side income, bonuses withheld at the flat 22% supplemental rate, investment income, or losing a credit. Withholding tables also assume you work the whole year at the same pay.
Tax results are estimates based on published rules and simplified assumptions. They are not tax advice — check official guidance or a tax professional for your situation.