What should I put for extra withholding?

Asked by: Linnie Bashirian  |  Last update: May 30, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (50 votes)

To figure out how much you should add, first think about how much of a refund you'd like to see after doing your taxes. Once you know your desired amount: Divide that by the number of paychecks you get in a year. Take the result and add that number to what the calculator told you to put on line 4(c).

Should I put anything in extra withholding?

Individuals should generally increase withholding if they hold more than one job at a time or have income from sources not subject to withholding. If they don't make any changes, they will likely owe additional tax and possibly penalties when filing their tax return.

Do I put 0 for additional withholding?

Note: Your employer is not required to withhold the additional amount requested on line 2 of your DE 4. If your employer does not agree to withhold the additional amount, you may increase your withholdings as much as possible by using the “single” status with “zero” allowances.

How to determine how much extra to withhold for taxes?

Use the Tax Withholding Estimator on IRS.gov. The Tax Withholding Estimator works for most employees by helping them determine whether they need to give their employer a new Form W-4. They can use their results from the estimator to help fill out the form and adjust their income tax withholding.

Is it better to claim 1 or 0 on your taxes?

Thus, claiming ``0'' results in the smallest paycheck, but a larger tax refund at tax time. The larger the number (ie 1, 2, 3, etc...) will result in larger paychecks, but will reduce tax withholdings which may result in a smaller tax refund or owing at tax time.

Tax tips: Withholding taxes explained, and how to avoid surprises

32 related questions found

Will I owe money if I claim 1?

Claiming 1 on Your Taxes

Claiming 1 reduces the amount of taxes that are withheld, which means you will get more money each paycheck instead of waiting until your tax refund. You could also still get a small refund while having a larger paycheck if you claim 1.

Is it better to withhold more or less taxes?

Is It Better to Withhold More or Less Taxes? Withholding more means you will receive a tax refund when you file your return, but it also means you're giving the government an interest-free loan.

Why do I owe taxes when I claim 0?

If you claimed 0 and still owe taxes, chances are you added “married” to your W4 form. When you claim 0 in allowances, it seems as if you are the only one who earns and that your spouse does not. Then, when both of you earn, and the amount reaches the 25% tax bracket, the amount of tax sent is not enough.

How do I correctly fill out my W4?

Note: The W-4 form 2024 steps are the same as the W-4 form 2025 steps.
  1. Step 1: Enter your personal information. ...
  2. Step 2: Account for all jobs you and your spouse have. ...
  3. Step 3: Claim your children and other dependents. ...
  4. Step 4: Make other adjustments. ...
  5. Step 5: Sign and date your form.

Should I withhold additional taxes on Reddit?

Yes, increasing withholding is the best way to cover the tax payments for your self employment income. The main advantage is you can change it at any time as your income varies and withholding is always considered to be on time, as long as you have paid enough by the end of the year.

Is 0 the highest withholding?

Claiming more allowances will lower the amount of income tax that's taken out of your check. Conversely, if the total number of allowances you're claiming is zero, that means you'll have the most income tax withheld from your take-home pay.

What percentage should I withhold for taxes in Arizona?

Withholding Percentage Options

Keep in mind for tax year 2023 and beyond, the tax rate for Arizona taxable income is 2.5%.

What should I put for my withholding allowance?

You can claim anywhere between 0 and 3 allowances on the W4 IRS form, depending on what you're eligible for. Generally, the more allowances you claim, the less tax will be withheld from each paycheck. The fewer allowances claimed, the larger withholding amount, which may result in a refund.

How do I make sure I don't owe taxes?

If you want to avoid a tax bill, check your withholding often and adjust it when your situation changes. Changes in your life, such as marriage, divorce, working a second job, running a side business, or receiving any other income without withholding can affect the amount of tax you owe.

Do you get a bigger tax refund if you make less money?

You can increase the amount of your tax refund by decreasing your taxable income and taking advantage of tax credits. Working with a financial advisor and tax professional can help you make the most of deductions and credits you're eligible for.

What is extra withholding on W4?

Although the tax withholding system aims to produce the most accurate withholding, you can add an extra amount on Line 4(c) for "extra withholding" to increase your income tax withholding and reduce your paycheck. That will either increase your tax refund or decrease any tax you owe when you file your tax return.

Is it better to claim 1 or 0 allowances?

Claiming 1 reduces the amount of taxes that are withheld from weekly paychecks, so you get more money now with a smaller refund. Claiming 0 allowances may be a better option if you'd rather receive a larger lump sum of money in the form of your tax refund.

How do I fill out a W4 to get the most money?

Here's a five-step guide on how to fill out your W-4.
  1. Step 1: Enter your personal information. Fill in your name, address, Social Security number and tax filing status. ...
  2. Step 2: Account for multiple jobs. ...
  3. Step 3: Claim dependents, including children. ...
  4. Step 4: Refine your withholdings. ...
  5. Step 5: Sign and date your W-4.

Do I claim myself as a dependent?

No. You can't claim yourself as a dependent on taxes. Tax dependency is applicable to your qualifying dependent children and relatives only.

How much should I withhold for taxes?

If your 2024 earnings are similar to 2023, you'll want your federal paycheck withholdings at roughly last year's effective tax rate, Loyd said. For example, if your gross paycheck is $1,000 and last year's effective tax rate was 12%, you'll want about $120 withheld in federal taxes, he said.

Why do I owe $5000 in taxes?

Common reasons for owing taxes include insufficient withholding, extra income, self-employment tax, life changes, and tax code changes.

Can I still get a refund if no federal taxes were withheld?

Can I get a refund if I don't pay taxes? It's possible. If you do not have any federal tax withheld from your paycheck, your tax credits and deductions could still be greater than any taxes you owe. This would result in you being eligible for a refund.

Can I change my W4 at any time?

Yes, an employee may submit a new W-4 anytime they have changes. Often, they'll submit a new form when they know they'll be changing exemptions, adjustments, deductions, or credits on their return. For example, an employee may want to increase their withholding by decreasing the number of dependents they claim.

Can TurboTax help with W4?

The W-4 calculator can help you adjust your withholdings to determine if you'll get a refund or a balance due come tax time. Once you're happy with your projected outcome, the W-4 calculator will show how to fill out your W-4.