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W-4 form: How to fill it out in 2025
W-4 form: How to fill it out in 2025

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

W-4 form: How to fill it out in 2025

If you got a big tax refund this year — or faced a big tax bill — now is a good time to revisit your W-4 form. Also known as the the Employee's Withholding Certificate, the W-4 is a crucial tax document that tells your employer how much in federal taxes to withhold from your paycheck. The more that your employer withholds from your paychecks, the more likely it is that you'll get a large tax refund. On the other hand, if you don't have enough withheld, then you'll face a tax bill come tax time. (The W-4 form is for employees, not independent contractors or gig workers, who must make estimated tax payments.) If you submit a revised W-4 now, then you have a number of months of paycheck withholding to set you up for exactly the situation you want come tax time next year. Learn more: The average tax refund each year, and how tax refunds work You can do all five steps below to fill in your W-4, but only Steps 1 and 5 are required by the IRS. Steps 2 to 4 are optional — only do them if they apply to your situation. The first step is to fill out your name, address and Social Security number in sections 1(a) and 1(b). Make sure your name is as it appears on your Social Security card — if it's different, the IRS says you'll need to contact the Social Security Administration to ensure you receive credit for your earnings. For your tax filing status, check one of the three boxes in section 1(c). Single or married filing separately. Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse. Head of household (for single taxpayers who pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home for themselves and a qualifying person). The second step applies only if you're holding down two jobs at once or if you're married filing jointly and you and your spouse both work. If one of these scenarios applies to you, then you have three options: Use the IRS tax withholding estimator, which is the most accurate way to calculate how much you should have withheld. Once you complete the process, the tool lets you download a W-4 (and one for your spouse, if married) with the withholding information filled out correctly. Use the multiple jobs worksheet on page 3 of the W-4 form. After filling out the worksheet, enter the amount on line 4(c) on your W-4. If you and/or your spouse work a total of only two jobs, simply check the box at the end of line 2(c) on the W-4 (you must also check the same box on the W-4 for the other job). By checking the box, your standard deduction and tax brackets will be cut in half for each job to calculate withholding. This option is somewhat accurate for jobs with similar pay; if one job pays more than the other job, more tax than necessary may be withheld, and this extra amount will be larger the greater the difference in pay between the two jobs, according to the IRS. Learn more: Current tax brackets and federal income tax rates The third step is for figuring out how much of the child tax credit (and credit for other dependents) you might be able to claim. The IRS has a tool to help you determine who you can claim as a dependent. If you have dependent children under age 17, multiply the number of children by $2,000. If, for example, you have three children under 17, enter $6,000 on the first blank line. If you have other qualified dependents, you can multiply the number of them by $500 and enter this amount in the second blank line of this section. Add these two figures together and enter the sum on line 3. Need an advisor? Need expert guidance when it comes to managing your money? Bankrate's AdvisorMatch can connect you to a CFP® professional to help you achieve your financial goals. The fourth step is for other adjustments you might want to make. This step has three parts. Other income (not from jobs): You can include other income you receive not related to jobs, such as interest, dividends and retirement income. Enter the total on line 4(a). Deductions: If you plan to claim itemized deductions (rather than the standard deduction) to lower your tax liability, fill out the worksheet on the bottom of page 3 and enter the result on line 4(b). Extra withholding: You can withhold additional tax from your paychecks for each pay period, including any amounts from the multiple jobs worksheet. You can designate a specific amount for withholding, like an extra $50 from your paychecks, on line 4(c). Once you've reviewed your form and verified that the data you provided is correct, sign and date it and return it to your employer. You can change information on your W-4 as needed. If you start a second job, for example, consider filling out a W-4 for the new job and submitting an updated W-4 to your existing employer, checking the box on line 2(c) on both forms. If your life situation changes, that's another good reason to submit an updated W-4 to your employer. For example, perhaps you became the sole caregiver for a dependent child and now qualify for head of household status. That could entitle you to a higher standard deduction, resulting in lower tax liability compared with a single filer status. Changing the status on your W-4 could mean more money for you in each paycheck, rather than waiting till tax time to get your money back as a refund. Learn more: How to adjust what's withheld from your paycheck for taxes If you had no tax liability in the previous year and don't expect to owe any taxes this year, you may be able to claim exempt status on your W-4. Doing so tells your employer to refrain from withholding any of your pay for federal taxes. See page 2 of the W-4 form for more information. If you choose this option, you'll have to fill out a W-4 form each year by Feb. 15 (or by the first business day after if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday) to maintain your exempt status. Here are some frequently asked questions about filling out the W-4 form. What should you put on your W-4? The information you should put on your W-4 depends on how much you would like taken out of your every paycheck and put toward taxes. If you want to be sure you're having the correct amount withheld, and thus avoid a large tax bill when you file your tax return, use the IRS' tax withholding estimator to determine how much you should have withheld from each paycheck. Alternatively, if you have more than one job you can use the multiple jobs worksheet on page 3 of the W-4 form. You can also enter extra withholdings in line 4(c), or decrease your number of dependents. Increasing your withholding — which is the amount your employer sends out of your paycheck to the IRS on your behalf — makes it more likely that you end up with a refund come tax time. On the other hand, if you got a large refund last year and you'd rather have bigger paychecks each month instead of waiting until tax time to get your money back, you can use the W-4 reduce how much is withheld from your paychecks. You can do this by reducing the amount of untaxed income that you entered on line 4(a), by increasing the figure for itemized deductions in line 4(b) or by reducing any 'extra withholding' amount you entered on line 4(c). Do you claim 0 or 1 on your W-4? Up until 2020, the W-4 form required you to choose 0, 1 or more allowances. But the IRS updated the form in 2020, establishing a new, more accurate way for taxpayers to calculate their tax withholdings. What do you put on your W-4 if no taxes are taken out? If you want to have zero taxes withheld from your paychecks, then you need to claim exempt status. To do that, you must have had no tax liability in the previous year and expect to have no tax liability for the current year. If you meet these qualifications, you can inform your employer not to withhold federal income tax from your paycheck by writing 'exempt' below line 4(c). Read 'exemption from withholding' on page 2 of the W-4 form for more information. Your employer will still withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes regardless of your exempt status. Also, your exemption will only last for one year. You'll have to file a new W-4 claiming you're exempt from withholding by Feb. 15 of a given year in order to maintain that status. How do you have more taxes taken out of your paycheck? To have more taxes taken out of your paycheck, simply enter the dollar amount you'd like withheld from each paycheck on line 4(c) of the W-4. How do you have less tax taken out of your paycheck? You can use the W-4 form to reduce how much is taken out of your paycheck, as well. To do this, decrease the figure that affects your withholdings. That includes additional withholdings indicated in line 4(c), as well as non-job related income identified in form 4(a). You can also submit a new W-4 if you have a new dependent, which will reduce your withholdings.

I'm a Financial Advisor: These Are the Easiest 7 Money Mistakes To Fix
I'm a Financial Advisor: These Are the Easiest 7 Money Mistakes To Fix

Yahoo

time22-04-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

I'm a Financial Advisor: These Are the Easiest 7 Money Mistakes To Fix

We all make money mistakes — yes, even financial advisors. The good news? Not every slip-up spells disaster. In fact, some of the most common financial missteps are surprisingly easy to fix once you spot them. Explore More: Read Next: GOBankingRates spoke with Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and owner of BeFluentInFinance, and Patricia Stallworth, certified financial planner (CFP) and CEO and founder of PS Worth LLC, to discuss the easiest money mistakes to turn around — with no shame, just solutions. 'I've worked with tons of clients on their finances, and let me tell you: Some money problems that seem huge can actually be fixed in just a few minutes,' said Lokenauth. Here are some of the insights they shared. 'It literally takes five minutes to set up automatic transfers from checking to savings — I did mine while waiting for coffee last month,' said Lokenauth. He said the results were amazing: He ended up saving about $400 more each month without even thinking about it. Trending Now: Lokenauth said he recently spent 15 minutes going through his credit card statement and found $75 in monthly subscriptions he wasn't using. And canceling them was surprisingly simple: He said most had a clear 'cancel' button right on their website. No phone calls needed. Another quick fix Lokenauth said was a game-changer: Switching to a card with 2% cash back on everything (instead of that fancy travel card he never maximized), and boom — instant improvement. 'The thing is, you don't need some complex rewards strategy. Just pick one good general cashback card and stick with it,' he noted. Here's one Lokenauth said bugs him: Keeping too much money in checking. He moved $5,000 from his checking to a high-yield savings account while watching TV one night. Now, he said that money's earning more than 4% instead of basically nothing. 'Such a simple change, but it drives me nuts thinking about how much interest I missed out on before,' he said. Speaking of quick fixes — turning off overdraft protection takes like two minutes max. Lokenauth disabled his through his bank's app during his lunch break. Sure, there's a tiny chance your card might get declined, but he said it's way better than those $35 overdraft fees (which really add up). The wrong withholding amount on your W-4 is super easy to adjust too, said Lokenauth. He noticed he was getting huge tax refunds, basically giving the government an interest-free loan. 'Took maybe 10 minutes to submit a new W-4 to HR and adjust my withholdings. Now I get about $100 extra in each paycheck instead of waiting for a refund.' He said these might not necessarily be the biggest money problems you might have–but they're the ones you can knock out quickly. And honestly, fixing these small things builds confidence to tackle the bigger stuff–it's like financial momentum. The best part–none of these require any real sacrifice or lifestyle changes. 'You're just optimizing what you're already doing. And that's exactly why they're so perfect for getting started. No budget spreadsheets, no expense tracking apps, just quick wins that actually stick.' Another of the biggest money mistakes, according to Stallworth, is overspending, and she said it's easy to fix once you understand the steps to prevent it. Here are three quick steps to fix it once and for all: Step 1: Determine how much money you have available to spend each month. Instead of dividing your annual income by 12, she advised actually using the bottom-line number on your paycheck which represents your actual income after taxes and deductions for retirement, healthcare, etc. Step 2: Review all of your necessary expenses for things like housing, utilities, transportation, etc. and subtract the total from your income number in Step 1. Step 3: Make a note of the remaining amount from Step 2 and ensure that your spending on any additional items does not exceed this number. She said following these steps will allow you to live within, if not below your means. The bottom line: 'Not understanding what's coming in, what's going out and where it's going can lead to a number of problems — from debt to not being able to achieve important goals.' More From GOBankingRates 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 7 Tax Loopholes the Rich Use To Pay Less and Build More Wealth This article originally appeared on I'm a Financial Advisor: These Are the Easiest 7 Money Mistakes To Fix Sign in to access your portfolio

Finish your 2024 tax return? Before filing it away, use it to plan for 2025 and save money
Finish your 2024 tax return? Before filing it away, use it to plan for 2025 and save money

Yahoo

time15-04-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Finish your 2024 tax return? Before filing it away, use it to plan for 2025 and save money

It's April 15, so you think you're done with taxes for another year? Not so fast. Before you put your tax documents into storage, use your 2024 return to help you plan for 2025 taxes next year, experts say. A little work now can put some money in your pocket and ensure filing goes smoothly on the next go round. 'Filing your taxes can feel like a beast. A lot of us put it off because it's confusing or stressful — and then we rush it, miss out on money, or skip it altogether,' said Carrie Joy, chief executive of WorkMoney. Because people "just finished their 2024 tax know in real time what they liked and did not like about their tax return experience, results and outcome and have time to make change for the next time," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt. To help ease the pain next year, experts said, consider taking some of the steps outlined below. If you owed money, look to see if there was a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. If you ended up paying a penalty, think about increasing withholding or paying quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid it next time. If you had a large refund, consider reducing withholding. A refund basically is an interest free loan to the government. However, some taxpayers like large refunds to avoid bigger paychecks that will tempt them to spend more throughout the year. 'If you didn't have the tax outcome you were hoping for or had a life change like (you) got a new job, had a baby, or bought a house, it's time to review and possibly adjust your withholding from your paycheck,' said Lisa Greene-Lewis, spokesperson and certified public accountant for TurboTax. TurboTax has a free W-4 withholding calculator to figure out how much you should have withheld on each paycheck whether you want a bigger refund, or you want to assure you don't owe. If you set a withholding amount, know that you're not wed to it all year. "Most taxpayers can adjust their withholdings as often as they want to ensure their take-home pay and ultimately tax refund size best suits their individual needs, savings goals and tax return outcome results whatever they may be," Steber said. Look at your investments. If you sold some investments early in the year to lock in gains to avoid the stock market declines, consider selling losers to realize a loss to offset capital gains, said Richard Pon, certified public accountant in San Francisco. If you always make your IRA contribution after year-end in April, consider making your 2025 IRA contribution now. "With stock prices low today, you may be buying at the bottom instead of at a higher price next April," Pon said. Note: There's a bonus for some older adults this year. In 2025, for the first time, Americans ages 60 to 63 by the end of the calendar year have an opportunity to rev up their retirement savings with a supersized catch-up contribution that can help reduce taxable income on next year's taxes. If you have a business, don't forget to track business mileage throughout the entire year, experts said. If you are an employee, don't forget unreimbursed business expenses are still not tax deductible in 2025. Ask your employer if they can reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses such as uniforms, small tools, professional subscriptions or business meals. Spring home buying season's starting. Keep in mind these related tax issues: If you sell your home, don't forget to document improvements to help you reduce any gains. Also, if you owned and used a home as your principal residence for 2 out of the last 5 years (through date of sale, not tax years), you're eligible for a $250,000 gain exclusion ($500,000 married). If you're buying a home, look out for state specific rules on housing deductions. The federal mortgage interest deduction is limited to $750,000. California mortgage interest is limited to $1 million plus $100,000 home equity indebtedness. If you move to North Carolina, the combined deduction for mortgage interest and property taxes is limited to $20,000 'To get organized for 2025 taxes, start in 2025 not in 2026,' Pon said. Anytime you make a tax-deductible expense, track it on a spreadsheet or simply put away the receipt in a folder, Pon said. The most common items are charitable contributions, property taxes and medical expenses. Ask your accountant if it's worth tracking medical expenses. For federal purposes, medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income but certain states do not have this 7.5% floor. 'Organizing documents throughout the year helps ensure you don't miss any deductions when it comes to tax season,' Greene-Lewis said. She reminds families to keep receipts for items that may be deductible or that you may be able to receive a credit for such as a child's day care or summer camp. There are also education-related credits and deductions people can take, Joy said. For example, student loan interest is deductible, and the American opportunity tax credit is a credit for qualified education expenses paid for an eligible student for the first four years of higher education. 'Similarly, landlords should track their expenses during the year instead of gathering them next year when your memory may be a little forgetful,' Pon said. Create a folder for rental expenses such as insurance, management fees, homeowners' association fees, utilities and repair expenses. "It's easier to organize throughout the year than all at once," Steber said. "A lot of folks think they won't get much — but tax credits and deductions can lead to a big refund," Joy said. If tax season was confusing this year or you're new to filing, take some time to review important tax lingo so tax parlance becomes second nature. 'Understanding a few key words can go a long way,' Joy said. Once you know the lingo, you'll be more tax aware throughout the year and then, have a jumpstart when you file your next return. Refund - Money back from the government Deduction - Lowers how much of your income gets taxed (like student loan interest) Credit - Lowers how much you owe directly (like the Earned Income Tax Credit) Rebate - A special kind of refund or tax break Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at mjlee@ and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to prepare for next year's tax season to save money Sign in to access your portfolio

Finish your 2024 tax return? Before filing it away, use it to plan for 2025 and save money
Finish your 2024 tax return? Before filing it away, use it to plan for 2025 and save money

USA Today

time15-04-2025

  • Business
  • USA Today

Finish your 2024 tax return? Before filing it away, use it to plan for 2025 and save money

Finish your 2024 tax return? Before filing it away, use it to plan for 2025 and save money Show Caption Hide Caption Tax status changing? Here's what to know about filing this year Tax season gives many people anxiety. Here's what we know about filing this year. It's April 15, so you think you're done with taxes for another year? Not so fast. Before you put your tax documents into storage, use your 2024 return to help you plan for 2025 taxes next year, experts say. A little work now can put some money in your pocket and ensure filing goes smoothly on the next go round. 'Filing your taxes can feel like a beast. A lot of us put it off because it's confusing or stressful — and then we rush it, miss out on money, or skip it altogether,' said Carrie Joy, chief executive of WorkMoney. Because people "just finished their 2024 tax know in real time what they liked and did not like about their tax return experience, results and outcome and have time to make change for the next time," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt. To help ease the pain next year, experts said, consider taking some of the steps outlined below. Examine your payment or refund If you owed money, look to see if there was a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. If you ended up paying a penalty, think about increasing withholding or paying quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid it next time. If you had a large refund, consider reducing withholding. A refund basically is an interest free loan to the government. However, some taxpayers like large refunds to avoid bigger paychecks that will tempt them to spend more throughout the year. 'If you didn't have the tax outcome you were hoping for or had a life change like (you) got a new job, had a baby, or bought a house, it's time to review and possibly adjust your withholding from your paycheck,' said Lisa Greene-Lewis, spokesperson and certified public accountant for TurboTax. TurboTax has a free W-4 withholding calculator to figure out how much you should have withheld on each paycheck whether you want a bigger refund, or you want to assure you don't owe. If you set a withholding amount, know that you're not wed to it all year. "Most taxpayers can adjust their withholdings as often as they want to ensure their take-home pay and ultimately tax refund size best suits their individual needs, savings goals and tax return outcome results whatever they may be," Steber said. Take advantage of the weak stock market Look at your investments. If you sold some investments early in the year to lock in gains to avoid the stock market declines, consider selling losers to realize a loss to offset capital gains, said Richard Pon, certified public accountant in San Francisco. If you always make your IRA contribution after year-end in April, consider making your 2025 IRA contribution now. "With stock prices low today, you may be buying at the bottom instead of at a higher price next April," Pon said. Note: There's a bonus for some older adults this year. In 2025, for the first time, Americans ages 60 to 63 by the end of the calendar year have an opportunity to rev up their retirement savings with a supersized catch-up contribution that can help reduce taxable income on next year's taxes. Business expenses for employees and owners If you have a business, don't forget to track business mileage throughout the entire year, experts said. If you are an employee, don't forget unreimbursed business expenses are still not tax deductible in 2025. Ask your employer if they can reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses such as uniforms, small tools, professional subscriptions or business meals. Buying or selling a home? Spring home buying season's starting. Keep in mind these related tax issues: If you sell your home, don't forget to document improvements to help you reduce any gains. Also, if you owned and used a home as your principal residence for 2 out of the last 5 years (through date of sale, not tax years), you're eligible for a $250,000 gain exclusion ($500,000 married). If you're buying a home, look out for state specific rules on housing deductions. The federal mortgage interest deduction is limited to $750,000. California mortgage interest is limited to $1 million plus $100,000 home equity indebtedness. If you move to North Carolina, the combined deduction for mortgage interest and property taxes is limited to $20,000 Get organized 'To get organized for 2025 taxes, start in 2025 not in 2026,' Pon said. Anytime you make a tax-deductible expense, track it on a spreadsheet or simply put away the receipt in a folder, Pon said. The most common items are charitable contributions, property taxes and medical expenses. Ask your accountant if it's worth tracking medical expenses. For federal purposes, medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income but certain states do not have this 7.5% floor. 'Organizing documents throughout the year helps ensure you don't miss any deductions when it comes to tax season,' Greene-Lewis said. She reminds families to keep receipts for items that may be deductible or that you may be able to receive a credit for such as a child's day care or summer camp. There are also education-related credits and deductions people can take, Joy said. For example, student loan interest is deductible, and the American opportunity tax credit is a credit for qualified education expenses paid for an eligible student for the first four years of higher education. 'Similarly, landlords should track their expenses during the year instead of gathering them next year when your memory may be a little forgetful,' Pon said. Create a folder for rental expenses such as insurance, management fees, homeowners' association fees, utilities and repair expenses. "It's easier to organize throughout the year than all at once," Steber said. "A lot of folks think they won't get much — but tax credits and deductions can lead to a big refund," Joy said. Speak the language If tax season was confusing this year or you're new to filing, take some time to review important tax lingo so tax parlance becomes second nature. 'Understanding a few key words can go a long way,' Joy said. Once you know the lingo, you'll be more tax aware throughout the year and then, have a jumpstart when you file your next return. Refund - Money back from the government Deduction - Lowers how much of your income gets taxed (like student loan interest) Credit - Lowers how much you owe directly (like the Earned Income Tax Credit) Rebate - A special kind of refund or tax break Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at mjlee@ and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday.

The Perfect Paycheck Deduction To Break Even on Taxes
The Perfect Paycheck Deduction To Break Even on Taxes

Yahoo

time15-04-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

The Perfect Paycheck Deduction To Break Even on Taxes

Though many people would prefer it wasn't the case, in the United States, you're required to pay federal income taxes on the money you earn throughout the year. The self-employed have to make estimated quarterly payments directly to the IRS, whereas wage earners who fill out form W-2 pony up automatically every pay period when their employers withhold a portion of their check to fork over to the IRS on their behalf. For You: Read More: In most cases, they fork over too much in estimated taxes, which is why tens of millions of people look forward to tax refunds every spring to reload their bank accounts. However, smart taxpayers would rather break even than give the IRS a free loan. Simply put, this tax year, if you'd prefer to meet your tax obligations while also keeping every penny that's yours when you need it throughout the year, you'll have to tweak the amount that your employer deducts. While receiving a refund when you file your taxes can make your tax bill sting a little less, in the long run, it's actually a savvier financial move to aim to break even. Here's how to find the sweet spot right in the middle. So, you want to give the IRS its due without giving the government a handout — but what's the right amount to withhold from your check to break even? For reference, if you don't earn more than the Standard Deduction of $12,950, you won't have to file your income tax return. 'As with most questions in taxes, the answer is, it depends,' said Eric Bronnenkant, certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) and head of tax at digital investment advisor Betterment. 'There are taxpayers who exist all over the spectrum. On one end, people who make below the standard deduction typically pay no income tax and no withholding may be required. 'On the other end of the spectrum, someone earning a $100 million salary per year likely needs to withhold at the top tax bracket of 37% on virtually all of their income. For most people who are in between, it's a little bit harder to figure out but there are tools and guidelines to help.' Be Aware: You are, of course, trying to break even, but if you have to err, err on the side of not shortchanging the IRS. No one wants to be their own tax liability when it comes to choosing taxes withheld. 'First, a key goal for withholding should be to avoid being subject to an underpayment penalty by withholding the lesser of at least 90% of what you owe in tax for the current year or 100% of what you owe on the prior year's tax,' said Bronnenkant, who's also a professor of taxation at Seton Hall University and was an author of the EY Tax Guide for seven years. If you want to adjust the amount that your employer withholds from your check, you'll have to submit a new W-4 form to your boss, and believe it or not, the IRS itself is your best bet for getting it right. 'The IRS has a handy tool to determine what to put on a W-4 and be on track to break even, and this is going to be the easiest and most accurate way to go about this,' Bronnenkant said in reference to the IRS' Tax Withholding Estimator. The tool lets you input all the variables that will lead you to your perfect paycheck deduction amount and comprehensible tax rate. 'Greater itemized deductions and tax credits will reduce the withholding amount,' Bronnenkant said. 'A higher income from you and your spouse typically increases the expected withholding amount.' The ultimate result is a pre-filled form W-4 ready to be printed out. 'Is the system perfect for all scenarios? No,' Bronnenkant said. 'It is not designed for more complex tax situations — long-term capital gains tax, qualified dividends, pensioners without active other employment, etc. — but it is a great tool for the average taxpayer.' The IRS recommends using its withholding tool and filling out a new W-4 every year. If you're not cut out for that level of diligence, make sure that you at least recalculate your withholdings in the wake of dramatic life events. So, if you want to ensure your employer withholds the right amount from your paycheck, you should fill out a new W-4 that accurately reflects your tax situation every year or every time your situation changes, full stop. Life changes that should be reflected in your tax forms would include getting married or divorced, having a baby, having a child aged out of dependent status, getting a new job, starting a side hustle or making other changes to your tax situation. You can request and submit a W-4 to your employer at any time during the year. For the most accurate results, you should fill it out as close to the beginning of the year as possible — then the changes will affect all of your paychecks for the year. However, last-minute filers can still update this information quickly and easily. Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on The Perfect Paycheck Deduction To Break Even on Taxes Sign in to access your portfolio

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