Free checklist · PDF
Form W-4 checklist
A checklist for filling in Form W-4: what to have ready and what each step means.
1 page, US Letter size, 46 KB. Free, no sign-up.
You can tick the boxes and type into this PDF on a computer or phone, then save or print it.
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Printing tips
- Print at actual size (100%), not "fit to page", so the lines stay a usable size.
- It is laid out for US Letter paper and also fits A4.
- Turn on "background graphics" if the colors come out pale.
What is on this checklist
Have ready
- Your Social Security number and legal name
- Filing status you expect to use (single, married filing jointly, head of household)
- Your partner’s pay, if you are married and both work
- Pay from any second job
- Number of children under 17 and other dependents
- Roughly how much other income you have (interest, freelance)
- Deductions above the standard deduction, if you itemize
The five steps
- Step 1: name, address, SSN and filing status (everyone)
- Step 2: only if you have more than one job, or your spouse works
- Step 3: only if you claim dependents
- Step 4: optional, for other income, deductions or extra withholding
- Step 5: sign and date (everyone)
After you hand it in
- Check your next pay stub: did federal tax change as expected?
- Update it after marriage, divorce, a baby or a second job
- Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator if you owed a lot last year
- Your state may have its own withholding form
