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Form W-4 Employee’s Withholding Certificate
▶ Complete Form W-4 so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay.
OMB No. 1545-0074
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
▶ Give Form W-4 to your employer.
▶ Your withholding is subject to review by the IRS.
2020
(a) First name and middle initial Last name (b) Social security number
Step 1:
Enter Address ▶ Does your name match the
Personal name on your social security
card? If not, to ensure you get
Information City or town, state, and ZIP code credit for your earnings, contact
SSA at 800-772-1213 or go to
www.ssa.gov.
(c) Single or Married filing separately
Married filing jointly (or Qualifying widow(er))
Head of household (Check only if you’re unmarried and pay more than half the costs of keeping up a home for yourself and a qualifying individual.)
Complete Steps 2–4 ONLY if they apply to you; otherwise, skip to Step 5. See page 2 for more information on each step, who can
claim exemption from withholding, when to use the online estimator, and privacy.
Step 2: Complete this step if you (1) hold more than one job at a time, or (2) are married filing jointly and your spouse
Multiple Jobs also works. The correct amount of withholding depends on income earned from all of these jobs.
or Spouse Do only one of the following.
Works (a) Use the estimator at www.irs.gov/W4App for most accurate withholding for this step (and Steps 3–4); or
(b) Use the Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page 3 and enter the result in Step 4(c) below for roughly accurate withholding; or
(c) If there are only two jobs total, you may check this box. Do the same on Form W-4 for the other job. This option
is accurate for jobs with similar pay; otherwise, more tax than necessary may be withheld . . . . . ▶
TIP: To be accurate, submit a 2020 Form W-4 for all other jobs. If you (or your spouse) have self-employment
income, including as an independent contractor, use the estimator.
Complete Steps 3–4(b) on Form W-4 for only ONE of these jobs. Leave those steps blank for the other jobs. (Your withholding will
be most accurate if you complete Steps 3–4(b) on the Form W-4 for the highest paying job.)
Step 3: If your income will be $200,000 or less ($400,000 or less if married filing jointly):
Claim
Multiply the number of qualifying children under age 17 by $2,000 ▶ $
Dependents
Multiply the number of other dependents by $500 . . . . ▶ $
Add the amounts above and enter the total here . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 $
Step 4 (a) Other income (not from jobs). If you want tax withheld for other income you expect
(optional): this year that won’t have withholding, enter the amount of other income here. This may
include interest, dividends, and retirement income . . . . . . . . . . . . 4(a) $
Other
Adjustments
(b) Deductions. If you expect to claim deductions other than the standard deduction
and want to reduce your withholding, use the Deductions Worksheet on page 3 and
enter the result here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4(b) $
(c) Extra withholding. Enter any additional tax you want withheld each pay period . 4(c) $
Step 5: Under penalties of perjury, I declare that this certificate, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is true, correct, and complete.
Sign
Here
▲
▲
Employee’s signature (This form is not valid unless you sign it.) Date
Employers Employer’s name and address First date of Employer identification
employment number (EIN)
Only
For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see page 3. Cat. No. 10220Q Form W-4 (2020)
Form W-4 (2020) Page 2
General Instructions Specific Instructions
Future Developments Step 1(c). Check your anticipated filing status. This will
determine the standard deduction and tax rates used to
For the latest information about developments related to compute your withholding.
Form W-4, such as legislation enacted after it was published,
go to www.irs.gov/FormW4. Step 2. Use this step if you (1) have more than one job at the
same time, or (2) are married filing jointly and you and your
Purpose of Form spouse both work.
Complete Form W-4 so that your employer can withhold the Option (a) most accurately calculates the additional tax
correct federal income tax from your pay. If too little is you need to have withheld, while option (b) does so with a
withheld, you will generally owe tax when you file your tax little less accuracy.
return and may owe a penalty. If too much is withheld, you will If you (and your spouse) have a total of only two jobs, you
generally be due a refund. Complete a new Form W-4 when may instead check the box in option (c). The box must also be
changes to your personal or financial situation would change checked on the Form W-4 for the other job. If the box is
the entries on the form. For more information on withholding checked, the standard deduction and tax brackets will be cut
and when you must furnish a new Form W-4, see Pub. 505. in half for each job to calculate withholding. This option is
Exemption from withholding. You may claim exemption from roughly accurate for jobs with similar pay; otherwise, more tax
withholding for 2020 if you meet both of the following than necessary may be withheld, and this extra amount will be
conditions: you had no federal income tax liability in 2019 and larger the greater the difference in pay is between the two jobs.
you expect to have no federal income tax liability in 2020. You Multiple jobs. Complete Steps 3 through 4(b) on only
had no federal income tax liability in 2019 if (1) your total tax on
line 16 on your 2019 Form 1040 or 1040-SR is zero (or less
▲ ! one Form W-4. Withholding will be most accurate if
CAUTION
you do this on the Form W-4 for the highest paying job.
than the sum of lines 18a, 18b, and 18c), or (2) you were not
required to file a return because your income was below the Step 3. Step 3 of Form W-4 provides instructions for
filing threshold for your correct filing status. If you claim determining the amount of the child tax credit and the credit
exemption, you will have no income tax withheld from your for other dependents that you may be able to claim when
paycheck and may owe taxes and penalties when you file your you file your tax return. To qualify for the child tax credit, the
2020 tax return. To claim exemption from withholding, certify child must be under age 17 as of December 31, must be
that you meet both of the conditions above by writing “Exempt” your dependent who generally lives with you for more than
on Form W-4 in the space below Step 4(c). Then, complete half the year, and must have the required social security
Steps 1a, 1b, and 5. Do not complete any other steps. You will number. You may be able to claim a credit for other
need to submit a new Form W-4 by February 16, 2021. dependents for whom a child tax credit can’t be claimed,
such as an older child or a qualifying relative. For additional
Your privacy. If you prefer to limit information provided in eligibility requirements for these credits, see Pub. 972, Child
Steps 2 through 4, use the online estimator, which will also Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents. You can also
increase accuracy. include other tax credits in this step, such as education tax
As an alternative to the estimator: if you have concerns credits and the foreign tax credit. To do so, add an estimate
with Step 2(c), you may choose Step 2(b); if you have of the amount for the year to your credits for dependents
concerns with Step 4(a), you may enter an additional amount and enter the total amount in Step 3. Including these credits
you want withheld per pay period in Step 4(c). If this is the will increase your paycheck and reduce the amount of any
only job in your household, you may instead check the box refund you may receive when you file your tax return.
in Step 2(c), which will increase your withholding and Step 4 (optional).
significantly reduce your paycheck (often by thousands of
dollars over the year). Step 4(a). Enter in this step the total of your other
estimated income for the year, if any. You shouldn’t include
When to use the estimator. Consider using the estimator at income from any jobs or self-employment. If you complete
www.irs.gov/W4App if you: Step 4(a), you likely won’t have to make estimated tax
1. Expect to work only part of the year; payments for that income. If you prefer to pay estimated tax
rather than having tax on other income withheld from your
2. Have dividend or capital gain income, or are subject to
paycheck, see Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.
additional taxes, such as the additional Medicare tax;
Step 4(b). Enter in this step the amount from the Deductions
3. Have self-employment income (see below); or
Worksheet, line 5, if you expect to claim deductions other than
4. Prefer the most accurate withholding for multiple job the basic standard deduction on your 2020 tax return and
situations. want to reduce your withholding to account for these
Self-employment. Generally, you will owe both income and deductions. This includes both itemized deductions and other
self-employment taxes on any self-employment income you deductions such as for student loan interest and IRAs.
receive separate from the wages you receive as an Step 4(c). Enter in this step any additional tax you want
employee. If you want to pay these taxes through withheld from your pay each pay period, including any
withholding from your wages, use the estimator at amounts from the Multiple Jobs Worksheet, line 4. Entering an
www.irs.gov/W4App to figure the amount to have withheld. amount here will reduce your paycheck and will either increase
Nonresident alien. If you’re a nonresident alien, see Notice your refund or reduce any amount of tax that you owe.
1392, Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident
Aliens, before completing this form.
Form W-4 (2020) Page 3
Step 2(b)—Multiple Jobs Worksheet (Keep for your records.)
If you choose the option in Step 2(b) on Form W-4, complete this worksheet (which calculates the total extra tax for all jobs) on only ONE
Form W-4. Withholding will be most accurate if you complete the worksheet and enter the result on the Form W-4 for the highest paying job.
Note: If more than one job has annual wages of more than $120,000 or there are more than three jobs, see Pub. 505 for additional
tables; or, you can use the online withholding estimator at www.irs.gov/W4App.
1 Two jobs. If you have two jobs or you’re married filing jointly and you and your spouse each have one
job, find the amount from the appropriate table on page 4. Using the “Higher Paying Job” row and the
“Lower Paying Job” column, find the value at the intersection of the two household salaries and enter
that value on line 1. Then, skip to line 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 $
2 Three jobs. If you and/or your spouse have three jobs at the same time, complete lines 2a, 2b, and
2c below. Otherwise, skip to line 3.
a Find the amount from the appropriate table on page 4 using the annual wages from the highest
paying job in the “Higher Paying Job” row and the annual wages for your next highest paying job
in the “Lower Paying Job” column. Find the value at the intersection of the two household salaries
and enter that value on line 2a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2a $
b Add the annual wages of the two highest paying jobs from line 2a together and use the total as the
wages in the “Higher Paying Job” row and use the annual wages for your third job in the “Lower
Paying Job” column to find the amount from the appropriate table on page 4 and enter this amount
on line 2b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2b $
c Add the amounts from lines 2a and 2b and enter the result on line 2c . . . . . . . . . . 2c $
3 Enter the number of pay periods per year for the highest paying job. For example, if that job pays
weekly, enter 52; if it pays every other week, enter 26; if it pays monthly, enter 12, etc. . . . . . 3
4 Divide the annual amount on line 1 or line 2c by the number of pay periods on line 3. Enter this
amount here and in Step 4(c) of Form W-4 for the highest paying job (along with any other additional
amount you want withheld) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 $
Step 4(b)—Deductions Worksheet (Keep for your records.)
1 Enter an estimate of your 2020 itemized deductions (from Schedule A (Form 1040 or 1040-SR)). Such
deductions may include qualifying home mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local
taxes (up to $10,000), and medical expenses in excess of 10% of your income . . . . . . . . 1 $
{ }
• $24,800 if you’re married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)
2 Enter: • $18,650 if you’re head of household . . . . . . . . 2 $
• $12,400 if you’re single or married filing separately
3 If line 1 is greater than line 2, subtract line 2 from line 1. If line 2 is greater than line 1, enter “-0-” . . 3 $
4 Enter an estimate of your student loan interest, deductible IRA contributions, and certain other
adjustments (from Schedule 1 (Form 1040 or 1040-SR)). See Pub. 505 for more information . . . 4 $
5 Add lines 3 and 4. Enter the result here and in Step 4(b) of Form W-4 . . . . . . . . . . . 5 $
Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for the information You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is
on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. Internal subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB
Revenue Code sections 3402(f)(2) and 6109 and their regulations require you to control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be
provide this information; your employer uses it to determine your federal income retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of
tax withholding. Failure to provide a properly completed form will result in your any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax returns and return information are
being treated as a single person with no other entries on the form; providing confidential, as required by Code section 6103.
fraudulent information may subject you to penalties. Routine uses of this The average time and expenses required to complete and file this form will vary
information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal depending on individual circumstances. For estimated averages, see the
litigation; to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and instructions for your income tax return.
possessions for use in administering their tax laws; and to the Department of
Health and Human Services for use in the National Directory of New Hires. We If you have suggestions for making this form simpler, we would be happy to hear
may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal from you. See the instructions for your income tax return.
and state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, or to federal law
enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.
Form W-4 (2020) Page 4
Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)
Higher Paying Job Lower Paying Job Annual Taxable Wage & Salary
Annual Taxable $0 - $10,000 - $20,000 - $30,000 - $40,000 - $50,000 - $60,000 - $70,000 - $80,000 - $90,000 - $100,000 - $110,000 -
Wage & Salary 9,999 19,999 29,999 39,999 49,999 59,999 69,999 79,999 89,999 99,999 109,999 120,000
$0 - 9,999 $0 $220 $850 $900 $1,020 $1,020 $1,020 $1,020 $1,020 $1,210 $1,870 $1,870
$10,000 - 19,999 220 1,220 1,900 2,100 2,220 2,220 2,220 2,220 2,410 3,410 4,070 4,070
$20,000 - 29,999 850 1,900 2,730 2,930 3,050 3,050 3,050 3,240 4,240 5,240 5,900 5,900
$30,000 - 39,999 900 2,100 2,930 3,130 3,250 3,250 3,440 4,440 5,440 6,440 7,100 7,100
$40,000 - 49,999 1,020 2,220 3,050 3,250 3,370 3,570 4,570 5,570 6,570 7,570 8,220 8,220
$50,000 - 59,999 1,020 2,220 3,050 3,250 3,570 4,570 5,570 6,570 7,570 8,570 9,220 9,220
$60,000 - 69,999 1,020 2,220 3,050 3,440 4,570 5,570 6,570 7,570 8,570 9,570 10,220 10,220
$70,000 - 79,999 1,020 2,220 3,240 4,440 5,570 6,570 7,570 8,570 9,570 10,570 11,220 11,240
$80,000 - 99,999 1,060 3,260 5,090 6,290 7,420 8,420 9,420 10,420 11,420 12,420 13,260 13,460
$100,000 - 149,999 1,870 4,070 5,900 7,100 8,220 9,320 10,520 11,720 12,920 14,120 14,980 15,180
$150,000 - 239,999 2,040 4,440 6,470 7,870 9,190 10,390 11,590 12,790 13,990 15,190 16,050 16,250
$240,000 - 259,999 2,040 4,440 6,470 7,870 9,190 10,390 11,590 12,790 13,990 15,520 17,170 18,170
$260,000 - 279,999 2,040 4,440 6,470 7,870 9,190 10,390 11,590 13,120 15,120 17,120 18,770 19,770
$280,000 - 299,999 2,040 4,440 6,470 7,870 9,190 10,720 12,720 14,720 16,720 18,720 20,370 21,370
$300,000 - 319,999 2,040 4,440 6,470 8,200 10,320 12,320 14,320 16,320 18,320 20,320 21,970 22,970
$320,000 - 364,999 2,720 5,920 8,750 10,950 13,070 15,070 17,070 19,070 21,290 23,590 25,540 26,840
$365,000 - 524,999 2,970 6,470 9,600 12,100 14,530 16,830 19,130 21,430 23,730 26,030 27,980 29,280
$525,000 and over 3,140 6,840 10,170 12,870 15,500 18,000 20,500 23,000 25,500 28,000 30,150 31,650
Single or Married Filing Separately
Higher Paying Job Lower Paying Job Annual Taxable Wage & Salary
Annual Taxable $0 - $10,000 - $20,000 - $30,000 - $40,000 - $50,000 - $60,000 - $70,000 - $80,000 - $90,000 - $100,000 - $110,000 -
Wage & Salary 9,999 19,999 29,999 39,999 49,999 59,999 69,999 79,999 89,999 99,999 109,999 120,000
$0 - 9,999 $460 $940 $1,020 $1,020 $1,470 $1,870 $1,870 $1,870 $1,870 $2,040 $2,040 $2,040
$10,000 - 19,999 940 1,530 1,610 2,060 3,060 3,460 3,460 3,460 3,640 3,830 3,830 3,830
$20,000 - 29,999 1,020 1,610 2,130 3,130 4,130 4,540 4,540 4,720 4,920 5,110 5,110 5,110
$30,000 - 39,999 1,020 2,060 3,130 4,130 5,130 5,540 5,720 5,920 6,120 6,310 6,310 6,310
$40,000 - 59,999 1,870 3,460 4,540 5,540 6,690 7,290 7,490 7,690 7,890 8,080 8,080 8,080
$60,000 - 79,999 1,870 3,460 4,690 5,890 7,090 7,690 7,890 8,090 8,290 8,480 9,260 10,060
$80,000 - 99,999 2,020 3,810 5,090 6,290 7,490 8,090 8,290 8,490 9,470 10,460 11,260 12,060
$100,000 - 124,999 2,040 3,830 5,110 6,310 7,510 8,430 9,430 10,430 11,430 12,420 13,520 14,620
$125,000 - 149,999 2,040 3,830 5,110 7,030 9,030 10,430 11,430 12,580 13,880 15,170 16,270 17,370
$150,000 - 174,999 2,360 4,950 7,030 9,030 11,030 12,730 14,030 15,330 16,630 17,920 19,020 20,120
$175,000 - 199,999 2,720 5,310 7,540 9,840 12,140 13,840 15,140 16,440 17,740 19,030 20,130 21,230
$200,000 - 249,999 2,970 5,860 8,240 10,540 12,840 14,540 15,840 17,140 18,440 19,730 20,830 21,930
$250,000 - 399,999 2,970 5,860 8,240 10,540 12,840 14,540 15,840 17,140 18,440 19,730 20,830 21,930
$400,000 - 449,999 2,970 5,860 8,240 10,540 12,840 14,540 15,840 17,140 18,450 19,940 21,240 22,540
$450,000 and over 3,140 6,230 8,810 11,310 13,810 15,710 17,210 18,710 20,210 21,700 23,000 24,300
Head of Household
Higher Paying Job Lower Paying Job Annual Taxable Wage & Salary
Annual Taxable $0 - $10,000 - $20,000 - $30,000 - $40,000 - $50,000 - $60,000 - $70,000 - $80,000 - $90,000 - $100,000 - $110,000 -
Wage & Salary 9,999 19,999 29,999 39,999 49,999 59,999 69,999 79,999 89,999 99,999 109,999 120,000
$0 - 9,999 $0 $830 $930 $1,020 $1,020 $1,020 $1,480 $1,870 $1,870 $1,930 $2,040 $2,040
$10,000 - 19,999 830 1,920 2,130 2,220 2,220 2,680 3,680 4,070 4,130 4,330 4,440 4,440
$20,000 - 29,999 930 2,130 2,350 2,430 2,900 3,900 4,900 5,340 5,540 5,740 5,850 5,850
$30,000 - 39,999 1,020 2,220 2,430 2,980 3,980 4,980 6,040 6,630 6,830 7,030 7,140 7,140
$40,000 - 59,999 1,020 2,530 3,750 4,830 5,860 7,060 8,260 8,850 9,050 9,250 9,360 9,360
$60,000 - 79,999 1,870 4,070 5,310 6,600 7,800 9,000 10,200 10,780 10,980 11,180 11,580 12,380
$80,000 - 99,999 1,900 4,300 5,710 7,000 8,200 9,400 10,600 11,180 11,670 12,670 13,580 14,380
$100,000 - 124,999 2,040 4,440 5,850 7,140 8,340 9,540 11,360 12,750 13,750 14,750 15,770 16,870
$125,000 - 149,999 2,040 4,440 5,850 7,360 9,360 11,360 13,360 14,750 16,010 17,310 18,520 19,620
$150,000 - 174,999 2,040 5,060 7,280 9,360 11,360 13,480 15,780 17,460 18,760 20,060 21,270 22,370
$175,000 - 199,999 2,720 5,920 8,130 10,480 12,780 15,080 17,380 19,070 20,370 21,670 22,880 23,980
$200,000 - 249,999 2,970 6,470 8,990 11,370 13,670 15,970 18,270 19,960 21,260 22,560 23,770 24,870
$250,000 - 349,999 2,970 6,470 8,990 11,370 13,670 15,970 18,270 19,960 21,260 22,560 23,770 24,870
$350,000 - 449,999 2,970 6,470 8,990 11,370 13,670 15,970 18,270 19,960 21,260 22,560 23,900 25,200
$450,000 and over 3,140 6,840 9,560 12,140 14,640 17,140 19,640 21,530 23,030 24,530 25,940 27,240