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Open the free calculator →TL;DR
- Steps 1 and 5 are required — everything else is optional
- Most single-job employees can leave Steps 2–4 blank for accurate withholding
- Check Step 2 if you have a second job or your spouse works
- Use a calculator if you want to match a specific refund target
The five steps of the 2026 W-4
The current W-4 form has five steps (get the IRS PDF from the 2026 W-4 form page). Only Steps 1 and 5 are required. The rest are optional adjustments you make if your situation calls for them.
Step 1 — Personal information (required)
RequiredYour name, address, Social Security number, and filing status. Choose Single/MFS, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household. Most new single employees choose Single.
Step 2 — Multiple jobs or spouse works (optional)
OptionalComplete this if you have two jobs simultaneously, or if you and your spouse both work. There are three ways: the IRS estimator, the Multiple Jobs Worksheet, or (only if there are two jobs in total) the checkbox, which goes on the W-4 for both jobs. Leave blank if this job is your only income.
Step 3 — Claim dependents (optional)
OptionalEnter $2,200 per qualifying child under 17, and $500 per other dependent. This reduces your withholding dollar-for-dollar against your dependent tax credits.
Step 4 — Other adjustments (optional)
OptionalThree sub-fields: (a) other income that is not from a job, such as interest or dividends, (b) deductions beyond the standard deduction (the Deductions Worksheet covers itemizing, tips, overtime, car loan interest and seniors), and (c) extra tax to withhold each paycheck, which is also where side-gig tax goes. Most new employees leave all three blank.
Step 5 — Signature (required)
RequiredSign and date. Your W-4 isn't valid without your signature.
The most common mistake: ignoring Step 2
If this new job is your onlyjob and you're single, you can ignore Step 2 entirely. But if you currently have another job — even part-time — or your spouse works, you need to complete Step 2.
Without it, your new employer withholds as if your paycheck is your only income. Your combined income from both jobs (or both spouses) pushes you into a higher bracket, but neither employer withholds at that rate.
⚠️ Starting a new job while keeping an old one?
This is the most under-withholding scenario there is. Read our guide on filling out a W-4 with two jobs before submitting your new hire paperwork.
Why do you have to fill out a W-4 when you start a new job?
Your employer has to withhold federal income tax from every paycheck, and the W-4 is how you tell them how much. It goes to your employer, not to the IRS. If you don't hand one in, the employer is required to treat you as single with no other adjustments, which can withhold too much or too little depending on your situation. Filling it out takes a few minutes and lets you match withholding to your real tax.
Starting fresh vs. carrying over old settings
When you start a new job, you're filling out a fresh W-4 — your previous employer's settings don't transfer. This is actually an opportunity: if your old W-4 was set up years ago and your situation has changed, start fresh using a calculator rather than trying to remember what you entered last time.
The calculator below takes your new salary, filing status, and any relevant adjustments and tells you exactly what to enter on each line.
Calculate your W-4 for your new job — free
Enter your new salary and situation to get exact line-by-line W-4 recommendations.
Open the W-4 Calculator →Mid-year hire: keeping your annual tax on track
If you start a new job mid-year — say, in July — your employer withholds based on your new salary as if you'd be earning it for the full year. But you only have half a year of paychecks remaining.
This usually works out fine if your income for the full year is similar to what your new employer is withholding against. But if you had significant income earlier in the year (from a previous job or freelance work), make sure your total projected withholding covers your full-year tax liability. Adding a Step 4(c) amount is an easy way to top it up if needed.
New hire W-4 decision tree
Key terms in this article
Curious what your new salary works out to per paycheck after taxes? Our take-home pay calculator gives you the exact number. Take-Home Pay Calculator →
Related guides
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