Form W-4 (2018)
Future developments. For the latest
information about any future developments
related to Form W-4, such as legislation
enacted after it was published, go to
www.irs.gov/FormW4.
Purpose. Complete Form W-4 so that your
employer can withhold the correct federal
income tax from your pay. Consider
completing a new Form W-4 each year and
when your personal or financial situation
changes.
Exemption from withholding. You may
claim exemption from withholding for 2018
if both of the following apply.
• For 2017 you had a right to a refund of all
federal income tax withheld because you
had no tax liability, and
• For 2018 you expect a refund of all
federal income tax withheld because you
expect to have no tax liability.
If you’re exempt, complete only lines 1, 2,
3, 4, and 7 and sign the form to validate it.
Your exemption for 2018 expires February
15, 2019. See Pub. 505, Tax Withholding
and Estimated Tax, to learn more about
whether you qualify for exemption from
withholding.
General Instructions
If you aren’t exempt, follow the rest of
these instructions to determine the number
of withholding allowances you should claim
for withholding for 2018 and any additional
amount of tax to have withheld. For regular
wages, withholding must be based on
allowances you claimed and may not be a
flat amount or percentage of wages.
You can also use the calculator at
www.irs.gov/W4App to determine your
tax withholding more accurately. Consider
using this calculator if you have a more
complicated tax situation, such as if you
have a working spouse, more than one job,
or a large amount of nonwage income
outside of your job. After your Form W-4
takes effect, you can also use this
calculator to see how the amount of tax
you’re having withheld compares to your
projected total tax for 2018. If you use the
calculator, you don’t need to complete any
of the worksheets for Form W-4.
Note that if you have too much tax
withheld, you will receive a refund when you
file your tax return. If you have too little tax
withheld, you will owe tax when you file your
tax return, and you might owe a penalty.
Filers with multiple jobs or working
spouses. If you have more than one job at
a time, or if you’re married and your
spouse is also working, read all of the
instructions including the instructions for
the Two-Earners/Multiple Jobs Worksheet
before beginning.
Nonwage income. If you have a large
amount of nonwage income, such as
interest or dividends, consider making
estimated tax payments using Form 1040-
ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.
Otherwise, you might owe additional tax.
Or, you can use the Deductions,
Adjustments, and Other Income Worksheet
on page 3 or the calculator at www.irs.gov/
W4App to make sure you have enough tax
withheld from your paycheck. If you have
pension or annuity income, see Pub. 505 or
use the calculator at www.irs.gov/W4App
to find out if you should adjust your
withholding on Form W-4 or W-4P.
Nonresident alien. If you’re a nonresident
alien, see Notice 1392, Supplemental Form
W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens,
before completing this form.
Specific Instructions
Personal Allowances Worksheet
Complete this worksheet on page 3 first to
determine the number of withholding
allowances to claim.
Line C. Head of household please note:
Generally, you can claim head of
household filing status on your tax return
only if you’re unmarried and pay more than
50% of the costs of keeping up a home for
yourself and a qualifying individual. See
Pub. 501 for more information about filing
status.
Line E. Child tax credit. When you file
your tax return, you might be eligible to
claim a credit for each of your qualifying
children. To qualify, the child must be
under age 17 as of December 31 and must
be your dependent who lives with you for
more than half the year. To learn more
about this credit, see Pub. 972, Child Tax
Credit. To reduce the tax withheld from
your pay by taking this credit into account,
follow the instructions on line E of the
worksheet. On the worksheet you will be
asked about your total income. For this
purpose, total income includes all of your
wages and other income, including income
earned by a spouse, during the year.
Line F. Credit for other dependents.
When you file your tax return, you might be
eligible to claim a credit for each of your
dependents that don’t qualify for the child
tax credit, such as any dependent children
age 17 and older. To learn more about this
credit, see Pub. 505. To
reduce the tax
withheld from your pay by taking this credit
into account, follow the instructions on line
F of the worksheet. On the worksheet, you
will be asked about your total income. For
this purpose, total income includes all of
Separate here and give Form W-4 to your employer. Keep the worksheet(s) for your records.
Form W-4
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate
▶
Whether you
’
re entitled to claim a certain number of allowances or exemption from withholding is
subject to review by the IRS. Your employer may be required to send a copy of this form to the IRS.
OMB No. 1545-0074
2018
1 Your first name and middle initial Last name
Home address (number and street or rural route)
City or town, state, and ZIP code
2 Your social security number
3
Single Married Married, but withhold at higher Single rate.
Note: If married filing separately, check “Married, but withhold at higher Single rate.”
4
If your last name differs from that shown on your social security card,
check here. You must call 800-772-1213 for a replacement card.
▶
5 Total number of allowances you’re claiming (from the applicable worksheet on the following pages) . . . 5
6 Additional amount, if any, you want withheld from each paycheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
$
7 I claim exemption from withholding for 2018, and I certify that I meet both of the following conditions for exemption.
• Last year I had a right to a refund of all federal income tax withheld because I had no tax liability, and
• This year I expect a refund of all federal income tax withheld because I expect to have no tax liability.
If you meet both conditions, write “Exempt” here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
▶
7
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certificate and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete.
Employee’s signature
(This form is not valid unless you sign it.)
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Date
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8 Employer’s name and address (Employer: Complete boxes 8 and 10 if sending to IRS and complete
boxes 8, 9, and 10 if sending to State Directory of New Hires.)
9 First date of
employment
10 Employer identification
number (EIN)
For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see page 4.
Cat. No. 10220Q
Form W-4 (2018)
