Tax Withholding Estimator

Use this tool to estimate the federal income tax you want your employer to withhold from your paycheck. This is called tax withholding. See how your withholding affects your refund, take-home pay, or tax due.

How it works

Use this tool to:

• Estimate your federal income tax withholding
• See how your refund, take-home pay, or tax due are affected by the withholding amount
• Choose an estimated withholding amount that works for you

Results are as accurate as the information you enter.

What you need

Have the following information ready:

• Paystubs for all jobs (including your spouse's)
• Other income information (side jobs, self-employment, investments, etc.)
• Most recent tax return

Please note that your information isn't saved. Learn more about Security.

More on tax withholding

When to Check Your Tax Withholding

• Why Check Your Tax Withholding
• About Tax Withholding
• Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

W-4 Forms

• Form W-4 Employee Withholding Certificate
• Form W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments
• Notice 1392, Supplement Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens (PDF)

After you use the estimator

Use your estimate to change your tax withholding amount on Form W-4 or keep the same amount.

To change your tax withholding amount:

1. Enter your new tax withholding amount on Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate
2. Ask your employer if they use an automated system to submit Form W-4
3. Submit or give Form W-4 to your employer

To keep your same tax withholding amount:

• You don't need to do anything at this time.
• Check your withholding again when needed and each year with the Estimator. This helps you make sure the amount withheld works for your circumstance.

When to check your withholding

Check your tax withholding every year, especially:

• When you have a major life change
  • New job or other paid work
  • Major income change
  • Marriage
  • Childbirth or adoption
  • Home purchase
• If you changed your tax withholding mid-year
• Check your tax withholding at year-end and adjust as needed with a new W-4

If you have more questions about your withholding, ask your employer or tax advisor.

Why check your withholding

There are several reasons to check your withholding:

• It can protect against having too little tax withheld and facing an unexpected tax bill or penalty at tax time next year.
• It can let you adjust your tax withheld upfront, so you receive a bigger paycheck and a smaller refund at tax time.

Security

The Tax Withholding Estimator doesn't ask for personal information such as your name, social security number, address, or bank account numbers. We don't save or record the information you enter in the estimator.

For details on how to protect yourself from scams, see Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 10-Jan-2024