How to Fill Out a W-4

Step 1: Personal information

Enter your name, address, Social Security number, and tax-filing status. When completing an electronic W-4 form, your personal information will be prefilled for you, and you only need to select a filing status.

Step 2: Account for multiple jobs

If you have more than one job or you file jointly and your spouse works, follow the instructions to get more accurate withholding.

If you’re married and filing jointly, and you both earn about the same amount, you can check a box indicating this. Both spouses must do that on their W-4s. Along with Step 1(c), this determines the tax table to use for calculating the amount of income tax withheld from your paycheck. It is important to consider the instructions when completing this step to accurately withhold income tax. Leaving this box unchecked will usually REDUCE the amount of income tax withheld from your paycheck.

Step 3: Claim dependents, including children

If your total income is under $200,000 (or $400,000 if filing jointly), you can enter how many children and dependents you have and multiply them by the credit amount. Entering an amount in step 3 will REDUCE the amount of income tax withheld from your paycheck based on the amount entered in this section.

Step 4: Refine your withholdings

If you want extra tax withheld or expect to claim deductions other than the standard deduction when you do your taxes, you can note that. Entering amounts in Step 4 (a) and 4 (c) will INCREASE the amount of taxes withheld.

Step 5: Sign and date your W-4

Once completed, press the submit button at the top right and enter the last four numbers of your SSN to digitally sign the W-4 form.

It’s also important to review your address in SONET as well as the address on your virtual checks in the payroll system to make sure your W-2 and 1095-C tax forms are sent to the right place. If you need to update your address, please follow the steps in Appendix 1A from the HR Employee Manual on SONET.

If you have any questions on entering a W-4 form, please contact Payroll at 582-5885 or email Payroll@pcsonet.com.