W-4 Calculator 2026 rates
On track to owe about (2026 taxes)
$180
Projected tax $5,020 · Projected withholding $4,840 (6 paychecks left)
What to put on your 2026 Form W-4
| Step 1(c): filing status | Single |
|---|---|
| Step 3: dependents | Leave blank |
| Step 4(a): other income | Leave blank |
| Step 4(b): deductions | Leave blank |
| Step 4(c): extra withholding per paycheck | $30.00 |
Adding about $30.00 in Step 4(c) for your last 6 paychecks should bring you to about $0. Lower it again in January, or the extra will keep coming out next year.
| Wages + other income − pre-tax | $60,000 |
|---|---|
| Standard deduction | −$16,100 |
| Taxable income | $43,900 |
| Tax from 2026 brackets | $5,020 |
| Withheld so far + rest of year | $4,840 |
Estimate for one job, using the 2026 standard deduction. With two jobs or a working spouse, check Step 2 on the form or use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator. It does not include the earned income credit or state tax. How we calculate.
How to use the W-4 calculator
- Enter your expected 2026 wages from this job (your salary, or hourly pay × hours × 52).
- Enter the federal tax withheld so far. It is on your latest pay stub, usually labeled "Federal income tax" or "FIT" in the year-to-date (YTD) column.
- Enter the federal tax withheld per paycheck now, from the same pay stub (the "current" column).
- Check the paychecks left this year. We fill it in from today's date; change it if your pay dates differ.
- Add children and other dependents, and under "More options" any other income, 401(k) contributions, overtime, tips or a refund goal.
- Copy the suggested numbers onto a new Form W-4 and give it to your employer.
How to fill out a W-4 in 2026, step by step
The 2026 Form W-4 has five steps. Everyone completes Steps 1 and 5. Steps 2 to 4 are only for people they apply to; leave them blank otherwise.
| Step | What it's for | What to enter |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Personal information | Name, address, Social Security number and filing status | Single (or married filing separately), married filing jointly, or head of household |
| 2. Multiple jobs or spouse works | You have more than one job at the same time, or you're married filing jointly and your spouse also works | Check the box (two similar-paying jobs only), use the Multiple Jobs Worksheet, or use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator |
| 3. Claim dependents | Child tax credit and credit for other dependents | $2,200 × children under 17 + $500 × other dependents, if income is $200,000 or less ($400,000 married filing jointly) |
| 4(a). Other income | Income with no withholding: interest, dividends, retirement income | The yearly amount. Don't include income from jobs or self-employment |
| 4(b). Deductions | Deductions beyond the standard deduction | Use the Deductions Worksheet on page 4 of the form. In 2026 it includes the new deductions for qualified tips, qualified overtime and car loan interest |
| 4(c). Extra withholding | Any extra tax to take out of each paycheck | A dollar amount per paycheck |
| 5. Sign | Makes the form valid | Sign and date |
Step 3 examples for 2026
| Dependents | Step 3 amount |
|---|---|
| 1 child under 17 | $2,200 |
| 2 children under 17 | $4,400 |
| 3 children under 17 | $6,600 |
| 2 children + 1 other dependent (for example a 17-year-old or a parent you support) | $4,900 |
Only one spouse should claim the children if you are married filing jointly and both work, or the credit is counted twice and too little tax is withheld.
Worked examples (2026)
1. Single, $60,000, a little short. Withheld so far: $3,700. Withholding now: $190 per biweekly paycheck, 6 paychecks left.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| 2026 tax: ($60,000 − $16,100 standard deduction) taxed at 10% / 12% | $5,020 |
| Withholding by year end: $3,700 + 6 × $190 | $4,840 |
| Short by | $180 |
| W-4 fix: Step 4(c) | $30 per paycheck |
2. Same worker with $10,000 of investment income. $10,000 of interest and dividends adds $1,550 of tax (12% up to the $50,400 bracket line, then 22% on the last $3,500), so they would be about $1,730 short. With 6 paychecks left, Step 4(c) needs about $289 per paycheck this year. For next year, they can enter $10,000 in Step 4(a) instead and let payroll spread it over the whole year. Self-employment income is different: it also owes self-employment tax, which this calculator doesn't include, so use Step 4(c) or quarterly estimated payments for it.
3. Married, two children, too much withheld. $90,000 of wages, $3,000 withheld so far, $150 per paycheck. Their 2026 tax is only about $2,040 after the $4,400 child tax credit, so they are on track for a refund of about $1,860. Entering $4,400 in Step 3 (if it's missing) is the first fix; the calculator also shows a Step 4(b) amount to cut withholding for the rest of the year.
Refund or owe: what's the right target?
- Aim for close to $0. A big refund means you lent the government money for free all year. Owing a lot can mean a penalty.
- Underpayment penalty: you usually avoid it if you owe less than $1,000, or if your withholding covered at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if your AGI was over $150,000).
- Like a small refund? Enter it as the "refund you want" under More options, and the calculator adds the extra to Step 4(c).
When to update your W-4
- You start a new job or a second job
- You get married or divorced, or your spouse starts or stops working
- You have a baby or gain or lose a dependent
- You get a big raise (see your raise after taxes)
- You got a big refund or owed a lot last year
- You start earning overtime or tips (the new 2025–2028 deductions can lower your tax; see the overtime tax calculator)
Limits of this calculator
This is an estimate for one job using the 2026 standard deduction. With two jobs, or a spouse who also works, use Step 2 of the form or the official IRS Tax Withholding Estimator on irs.gov. It does not include the earned income credit, education credits, self-employment tax or state income tax. For last year's return, use the tax refund calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I fill out a W-4 in 2026?
Fill in Step 1 (name, address, filing status) and sign Step 5. Then complete only the steps that apply: Step 2 if you have more than one job or your spouse works, Step 3 for children and other dependents, and Step 4 for other income, extra deductions or extra withholding.
What do I put in Step 3 of the W-4 for 2026?
Multiply the number of children under 17 by $2,200 and other dependents by $500, and add them together, if your income is $200,000 or less ($400,000 or less if married filing jointly). For two children that is $4,400.
How do I stop owing taxes at the end of the year?
Enter an extra dollar amount per paycheck in Step 4(c). Divide the amount you expect to owe by the number of paychecks left in the year. For example, if you expect to owe $600 with 6 paychecks left, add $100 in Step 4(c).
How many allowances should I claim on my W-4?
None. Allowances were removed from Form W-4 in 2020. The current form uses dollar amounts instead: credits in Step 3, other income in Step 4(a), deductions in Step 4(b) and extra withholding in Step 4(c).
Should I check the box in Step 2?
Check it only if you have exactly two jobs in total (including your spouse's, if married filing jointly) and they pay about the same, and check it on both W-4s. If the pay is very different, use the Multiple Jobs Worksheet or the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator for a more accurate result.
How often can I change my W-4?
Any time. Give your employer a new Form W-4 and the change usually applies within a pay period or two. It is a good idea to check it after a raise, a new job, marriage, a new child, or a big refund or tax bill.
Will I get a penalty if I owe at tax time?
Usually not if you owe less than $1,000, or if your withholding covered at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if your adjusted gross income was over $150,000). Otherwise the IRS may charge an underpayment penalty.