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Internal Revenue Service (IRS)TaxGuide

W-4 — Employee's Withholding Certificate

Given to your employer so they can work out how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay.

The form is downloaded and submitted on the authority's website.

What this form is for

Tell your employer about your filing status, other income and deductions so the right amount of federal tax is withheld.

Documents to have ready

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your other income and your spouse's, if you file jointly

Where to send it

You give the W-4 to your employer, not to the IRS. Fill out a new one when your situation changes.

Our tips

  • Always download the latest version from the official site: federal forms are updated regularly.
  • Read the official instructions that come with the form before you start.
  • Keep a copy of everything you send, with the date you sent it.

The information on this page is general. If in doubt, the official source prevails.