W-4 withholding calculator
Will what comes out of your paychecks cover your 2026 federal income tax? Find the gap, then the exact W-4 line that closes it.
You are on track
Within $150
No W-4 change needed for federal income tax.
| 2026 federal income tax on your income | $6,570 |
|---|---|
| Withheld so far | $4,043 |
| Still to be withheld (10 × $252.69) | $2,527 |
| Projected total withheld | $6,570 |
Federal bracket 22% · effective 9.4% of wages. Social Security, Medicare and state tax are separate and not affected by the W-4.
How the W-4 turns into a number on your stub
Since 2020 the Form W-4 has no “allowances”. Payroll takes your pay per check, annualises it, subtracts the standard deduction for your Step 1 filing status, runs the result through the tax brackets (IRS Publication 15-T), subtracts Step 3 credits, and divides back down to one paycheck. Step 4(c) is then added on top, dollar for dollar.
That method is exact for one job and no other income. It breaks down when two paychecks each assume they are the only one, which is why couples who both work and anyone with a second job often owe in April. The paycheck calculator shows the per-check effect of each W-4 step, and the 2026 tax brackets show why the second job’s dollars land in a higher bracket.
Questions people ask
How do I fill out a W-4 so I don’t owe at tax time?
Enter your filing status in Step 1. If you have two jobs or your spouse works, either tick the Step 2 checkbox on both W-4s (best when the jobs pay about the same) or add the extra amount this calculator shows to Step 4(c) on one job. Claim children and other dependents in Step 3, and list untaxed income such as interest in Step 4(a).
What does the Step 2 checkbox do?
It tells payroll to withhold as if your job paid half the bracket widths and got half the standard deduction. With two jobs at similar pay, that roughly matches the tax on your combined income. If one job pays much more, it tends to over-withhold, and the Step 4(c) extra-per-check amount is more accurate.
Why do two jobs lead to a tax bill?
Each employer withholds as if its paycheck were your only income, so each one applies the full standard deduction and the 10% and 12% brackets. Your actual return gets those only once, so the second job’s income is taxed at a higher rate than either employer withheld.
Is a big refund good?
A refund is your own money returned without interest. If you expect a large refund, you could take home more each payday by lowering extra withholding in Step 4(c) or listing deductions in Step 4(b). Many people still like a modest refund as a buffer.
Is this the same as the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator?
It follows the same idea for wage earners: estimate your full-year federal tax, compare it with what has been and will be withheld, and close the gap through Form W-4. The IRS tool at irs.gov handles more situations (self-employment, pensions, itemized deductions in detail), so use it for complex returns.
Assumes the 2026 standard deduction and brackets (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32), the $2,200 child tax credit and $500 credit for other dependents, and no itemized deductions. Estimate only, not tax advice.