Maximizing Tax Withholdings

While changes can be made at any time to a W-4 form, the end of the year is a good time to review tax withholdings. Life-changing events, like having a baby or buying a house, might mean it’s time for an update.

Withholdings are the amount an employer takes out of a paycheck to pay the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on their behalf. That amount can be adjusted as an individual deems necessary, whether too much or not enough was taken out, and can be modified by completing a new W-4, an Employee’s Withholding Certificate.

To change a W-4, the Adjusted Growth Income (AGI) is needed, which can be found on the prior year’s tax return. Online tools, like the Tax Withholding Estimator at IRS.gov or the W-4 Calculator for TurboTax, can help estimate withholding amounts.

Having too much withheld from a paycheck results in receiving a tax refund, but less money in your pocket throughout the year. Not taking out enough, however, could mean an IRS tax bill or even a penalty for underpayment. Therefore, regularly updating a W-4 is an important financial management strategy.

According to TurboTax, in 2020, the IRS rolled out a new system for completing a W-4 form, making updates or modifications easier and more convenient. Complicated worksheets have now been replaced with more straightforward questions.

Other than being easy to modify, here’s a list of the reasons to consider adjusting your W-4, according to Nerd Wallet:

  1. New marriage or divorce
  2. New baby
  3. New house
  4. Significant change in salary
  5. Only working for part of the year
  6. Significant amount of dividend income
  7. Freelance work on the side

If any of those listed above occur within the year, it’s important to ensure withholdings are reflected as such.

How to Fill Out a W-4

Filling out a W-4 form and keeping it updated is made even easier through various online resources geared towards calculating the appropriate withholdings, such as the IRS’s Tax Withholding Estimator,  TurboTax’s Withholding Calculator, or these basic steps from NerdWallet to get started in the right direction:

  1. The easy part – Simply download the form from IRS.gov and start by filling out your basic personal information.
  2. Provide dollar estimates – The new 2020 version asks for a dollar estimate for the payroll system to use, rather than asking participants to choose several allowances.
  3. Whether you’re single with multiple jobs or married and filing jointly, while both of you are employed, keep these things in mind – A W-4 is usually required for each job. For the highest paying job, fill out steps 2 to 4(b) on the W-4. Leave those sections blank on the W-4 forms pertaining to the lower paying jobs. If you and your spouse make about the same salary at each job, and you’re filing jointly, there is a spot to indicate as such on the W-4. The trick is to make sure both spouses check the box on each of their forms.
  4. If you are exempt from withholding – Write “exempt” in the space below step 4(c). You will still need to fill out steps 1 and 5, as well as fill out a new W-4 every year you plan to claim exemption from withholding.
  5. On the new 2020 form, you can select the “Head of Household” status – This was not an option before this year. Just be sure to fill out the 2020 W-4 if you choose to file this status for your tax withholdings to line up more accurately with your tax liability.
Checking Accounts

Premium Perks

Freedom Checking

CashBack Checking

Direct Deposit

More

Savings Accounts

Savings Accounts

Super Saver

Money Market

h

Certificates

HSA

Cards

Debit Card

Low Rate Credit Card

Rewards Credit Card

CU Rewards

Card Controls

Tools

Mobile Deposit

Online Banking

Pay Someone

eAlerts

Compare Rates

Vehicle Loans

Auto Loans

Refinance Your Car

Motorcycle & Jet Ski Loans

Boat & RV Loans

Mortgage & Home Loans

Mortgages

Refinance Your House

Home Equity Loans

Construction Loans

Personal

Personal Loans

,

StretchPay Loans

Student Loans

Credit Cards

Tools

Apply for a Loan

Pay a Loan

Online Bill Pay

Chat With Us

Financial Planning

Investments

i

Estate Planning

401(k) Rollover

Retirement Planning

Day Air Insurance

Auto Insurance

Home Insurance

Identity Theft Protection

Life Insurance

More Products & Services

RetireMed

Financial Counseling

Credit Reports

Reorder Checks

More

Online Banking

Online Banking

Online Bill Pay

Login to Online Banking

Mobile Banking

Mobile Banking

Mobile Deposit

Pay Someone

Text Banking

Tools

Apply for a Loan

Pay a Loan

eAlerts

Mobile Pay

Chat With Us

Accounts

Business Checking

Business Savings

Business Certificates

Cards

Business Debit Card

Business Credit Card

Loans

Commercial Loans

Term Loans

PPP Loans

Line of Credit

Services

Business Bill Pay

Tools

Online Business Banking

Login to Business Banking

Login to PIB MLO

Business Banking App

Join Day Air

Why Choose Day Air

Membership Eligibility

Annual Member Savings

Compare Rates

Join Day Air

Community

Community Involvement

Financial Education

Dayton VA Medical Center

Dayton Dragons

Contests & Sweepstakes

About

Press & News

Newsletters & Reports

Videos

Careers

Helpful Resources