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W-4

The form you fill out when starting a job that tells your employer how much federal tax to withhold from your paycheck.

Full explanation

Form W-4 (Employee's Withholding Certificate) determines how much federal income tax your employer withholds from each paycheck. The 2020+ version replaced allowances with a step-based system: filing status, multiple jobs adjustment, dependents, other income, and deductions. Getting it right means your withholding closely matches your actual tax — avoiding a big bill or excessive refund. You can submit a new W-4 anytime your situation changes (marriage, new job, baby, side income).

Source: IRS Publication 505 — Tax Withholding

Tax education only. Source: IRS Publication 505 — Tax Withholding.