Check whether your paycheck withholding will cover your 2026 federal income tax. Enter your pay, the entries on your Form W-4 and your household's other income and dependents, and get the withholding per paycheck, your projected refund or balance due and the W-4 changes that land you on your target refund.
Last updated:
This job
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$
Traditional 401(k), health/dental premiums, HSA, FSA.
Your Form W-4 entries
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Children under 17 × $2,200 + other dependents × $500.
$
Interest, dividends, side income without withholding.
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Itemized deductions above the standard deduction.
$
Rest of your household's year
$
$
$
0 = break even. Many people aim for a small cushion like $250.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the W-4 Withholding Calculator
Enter your gross pay per paycheck, how often you are paid and pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) and health insurance.
Copy your current W-4 entries: filing status, the Step 2 checkbox and the amounts in Steps 3 and 4.
Add the rest of your household's year: wages and withholding from a second job or your spouse, and your children and other dependents.
Set a target refund (0 to break even) and press Calculate.
Give your employer a new W-4 with the suggested Step 3 or Step 4(c) amount if you want to change your withholding.
How the 2026 withholding formula works
For a 2020-or-later Form W-4, employers use the IRS percentage method in Publication 15-T. In annual terms:
Adjusted annual wage = (pay per period − pre-tax deductions) × pay periods + Step 4(a) − Step 4(b).
Tentative withholding = federal brackets applied to the adjusted wage above the standard deduction for your Step 1(c) status (half the deduction and half-width brackets if Step 2 is checked).
Per paycheck = (tentative withholding − Step 3) ÷ pay periods + Step 4(c).
Example: $2,500 biweekly with $150 pre-tax, single, nothing else on the W-4. Annual wage = $2,350 × 26 = $61,100. Minus the $16,100 standard deduction leaves $45,000, taxed $1,240 + $3,912 = $5,152. Divided by 26 that is $198.15 per paycheck.
2026 W-4 quick reference
W-4 line
What it does
Typical entry
Step 1(c)
Sets the standard deduction and brackets
Single $16,100 · Joint $32,200 · Head of household $24,150
Step 2(c)
Halves the deduction and brackets for each of two similar jobs
Check on both W-4s if both jobs pay about the same
Step 3
Reduces yearly withholding dollar for dollar
$2,200 per child under 17, $500 per other dependent
Step 4(a)
Adds non-job income so tax is withheld on it
Interest, dividends, retirement income
Step 4(b)
Subtracts deductions above the standard deduction
Expected itemized deductions − standard deduction
Step 4(c)
Extra flat amount per paycheck
Amount owed last year ÷ paychecks left
Tips for getting withholding right
Revisit your W-4 after marriage, divorce, a new child, a second job or a big raise.
Two-earner couples are the most often under-withheld. Either check Step 2 on both W-4s or put the extra on the higher-paid job's Step 4(c).
Use your pay stub to compare: the "Federal income tax" or "FIT" line should be close to the per-paycheck figure above.
Bonuses are usually withheld at a flat 22%, which may differ from your actual rate.
Changing mid-year? Base Step 4(c) on the paychecks remaining, not on the full year.
Frequently asked questions
How is federal withholding calculated from my W-4?
Payroll annualizes your taxable pay (pay minus pre-tax deductions × paychecks per year), adds Step 4(a) other income, subtracts Step 4(b) deductions and the standard deduction for your filing status, applies the tax brackets, subtracts the Step 3 credit amount and divides by the number of paychecks. Step 4(c) extra withholding is then added to each paycheck.
What should I put in Step 3 of the W-4?
Step 3 is for credits. If your income is $200,000 or less ($400,000 if married filing jointly), multiply qualifying children under 17 by $2,200 and other dependents by $500 for 2026, add other credits you expect, and enter the total. A larger Step 3 reduces your withholding dollar for dollar over the year.
When should I check the Step 2 box?
Check it if you have two jobs at the same time or are married filing jointly and both spouses work, and the jobs pay roughly the same. It withholds on each job using half the standard deduction and half-width brackets. Check it on the W-4 for every job; otherwise use the IRS estimator or extra withholding in Step 4(c).
How do I get a bigger refund or stop owing?
Add a dollar amount in Step 4(c) for extra withholding on every paycheck. This calculator divides the amount you would owe plus your target refund by the number of paychecks to suggest that figure.
How do I get more money in each paycheck instead of a refund?
Lower withholding by increasing Step 3 or Step 4(b), or by removing extra withholding in Step 4(c). The calculator suggests a Step 3 amount that brings your expected refund down to your target. Avoid going so low that you owe more than $1,000, which can trigger an underpayment penalty.
Why doesn't this include Social Security and Medicare?
Those payroll taxes (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base and 1.45% Medicare) are fixed by law and are not affected by your W-4. Only federal income tax withholding depends on the W-4. The paycheck calculator shows your full take-home pay.
When does a new W-4 take effect?
Employers must apply it no later than the start of the first payroll period ending on or after the 30th day after you submit it. If you change it late in the year, divide the needed adjustment by the paychecks left instead of the full year's paychecks.
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