A one-page, plain-English worksheet to fill out your 2026 Form W-4 correctly — and set your withholding so you neither owe a big bill nor over-lend the IRS.
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| Step 1 | Name, address, SSN, filing status. Required. Status: ☐ Single ☐ MFJ ☐ HoH |
| Step 2 | Multiple jobs / working spouse? ☐ Yes → check box 2(c) on both W-4s (similar pay) or use the IRS estimator. ☐ No → skip. |
| Step 3 | Dependents (income under $200k S / $400k MFJ): ___ children × $2,000 = $______ + ___ others × $500 = $______ |
| Step 4 | (a) other income $______ (b) extra deductions $______ (c) extra withholding per check $______ |
| Step 5 | Sign & date. Give it to your employer — not the IRS. |
| If you are… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Single, one job | Steps 1 & 5 only. Standard withholding is accurate. |
| Married, both work | Complete Step 2 on the higher-paying job; dependents on one W-4 only. |
| Have a side gig (1099) | Add expected income in Step 4(a) or set aside quarterly — see the 1099 calculator. |
| Owe every April | Add a dollar amount in Step 4(c). |
| Want more per paycheck | Claim eligible dependents in Step 3; avoid extra withholding. |
Want $______ more withheld this year? ÷ your paychecks (26 bi-weekly, 24 semi-monthly, 12 monthly) = $______ in Step 4(c).
| Dependent credit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Qualifying child (under 17) | $2,000 each |
| Other dependent | $500 each |
| ☐ | Skipping Step 2 when you have two incomes (→ under-withholding & a bill) |
| ☐ | Claiming dependents on both spouses’ W-4s (double-counts) |
| ☐ | Forgetting to sign Step 5 (form is invalid) |
Not sure how a change will land? The TruePayCalc calculator shows your 2026 take-home by filing status and state, so you can dial in your withholding with confidence.