Ultimate Tax Preparation

Free planning tool

W-4 Withholding Estimator

See roughly how much federal income tax comes out of each paycheck, and what to write on your Form W-4 to get the result you want.

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  • 2026 IRS withholding method
  • Nothing is saved or sent
  • Updates as you type

Your estimate

How Much Will Be Withheld?

Enter your paycheck and the way you plan to fill out your W-4. Nothing you type here is saved or sent to us.

Your paycheck

$
Before any taxes or deductions are taken out.
$
Such as 401(k), health insurance premiums, HSA or FSA contributions.

Partway through the year? (optional)

Step 2: More than one job

Step 3: Credits

$2,200 each.
$500 each.
$
Yearly amount, such as education credits.

Step 4: Adjustments (optional)

$
Interest, dividends, or side income not from a job (4a).
$
New 2025–2028 deductions. Limits and income phase-outs apply.
$
Itemized deductions above the standard deduction (4b).
$
Extra tax you want taken out of every paycheck (4c).

Your estimate

Federal tax withheld each paycheck
$0

Taxable pay each paycheck$0
Withheld over the year$0
Estimated tax for the year (this job)$0
Estimated refund$0

What to enter on your Form W-4

Step 1(c) filing statusSingle
Step 2 boxNot checked
Step 3 total$0
Step 4(a) other income$0
Step 4(b) deductions$0
Step 4(c) extra per paycheck$0

How this is figured. Uses the 2026 percentage method from IRS Publication 15-T, the same method most payroll systems use, with the 2026 standard deduction and federal brackets for the refund or amount-owed comparison.

What it leaves out. Social Security and Medicare taxes, state and local tax, additional Medicare tax, and credit or deduction phase-outs. The refund or amount-owed line reflects this job only. If you enter year-to-date numbers, it assumes your remaining paychecks match the one you entered. If you or your spouse have a second job, the estimate for each job is rougher, so ask us to review it. Your employer’s payroll system may round differently.

This is a rough estimate for planning only. It is not tax advice and not a tax return. Your actual tax can be higher or lower. Learn about the new tips and overtime deductions on our 2025–2028 tax law changes page.

Not sure what to put on your W-4?

We Can Review It With You

If you have more than one job, side income, or changes this year, we can look at your whole situation and prepare your return.

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