Your employer takes federal income tax out of each paycheck based on your Form W-4. If too little comes out, you can owe money, and maybe a penalty, at tax time; if too much comes out, you get it back as a refund. This page checks whether your 2026 withholding is on track, using your pay stub and the IRS's 2026 numbers, and shows what to put on a new W-4 to fix a gap.
Checked Oct. 24, 2026
Runs on your phone; nothing you type is sent anywhere. Have your latest pay stub handy. Federal income tax only (not Social Security, Medicare or state tax).
A rough estimate using 2026 brackets and the standard deduction; it does not include capital gains rates, self-employment tax, the Additional Medicare Tax, NIIT, education or other credits. For the most accurate W-4 entries, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.
Sources: Pub. 505 (2026), Worksheet 2-1 lines 12-14; Form 2210 instructions.
| Step | What it does | 2026 amounts |
|---|---|---|
| 1(c) Filing status | Sets the standard deduction and brackets used for withholding. | Standard deduction $16,100 single or married filing separately, $24,150 head of household, $32,200 married filing jointly |
| 2 Multiple jobs or spouse works | Use the IRS estimator, the Multiple Jobs Worksheet (result goes in 4(c)), or check the 2(c) box on both W-4s if there are only two jobs. | The 2(c) box cuts the standard deduction and brackets in half for each job; most accurate when the two jobs pay about the same |
| 3 Dependents and credits | Lowers withholding for credits you'll claim. | $2,200 per child under 17; $500 per other dependent (if total income is $200,000 or less, $400,000 married filing jointly) |
| 4(a) Other income | Adds withholding for interest, dividends or retirement income that has none. | Your estimate for the year |
| 4(b) Deductions | Lowers withholding for deductions beyond the basic standard deduction (Deductions Worksheet, page 4). | Tips up to $25,000 and overtime up to $12,500 ($25,000 married filing jointly) if income is under $150,000 ($300,000 joint); car loan interest up to $10,000 if under $100,000 ($200,000 joint); $6,000 per person 65+ if under $75,000 ($150,000 joint); cash gifts to charity up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) with the standard deduction; SALT up to $40,400 if itemizing |
| 4(c) Extra withholding | A flat dollar amount taken from every paycheck on top of the normal withholding. | Any amount you choose |
| Exempt | No income tax withheld at all. | Only if you had no 2025 tax liability and expect none in 2026; new W-4 due by Feb. 16, 2027 |
Source: Form W-4 (2026) pages 1-4; full limits and phase-outs are in the Schedule 1-A instructions. Employers figure withholding with Pub. 15-T (2026).
The W-4 instructions suggest using the IRS estimator if you:
The IRS also suggests rechecking early each year. If you don't turn in a W-4, your employer must withhold as if you're single with no other entries.
Facts and math, not tax advice. This is a rough estimate from IRS 2026 figures. Your real tax depends on your full return. No affiliate or partner links on this page.
Compare the federal income tax withheld so far this year (on your latest pay stub) plus what will be withheld from your remaining paychecks with your estimated 2026 tax. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator does this with your pay stub; the checkup on this page is a quick rough version.
Generally no underpayment penalty applies if your 2026 tax minus your withholding is less than $1,000, or if your withholding covers the smaller of 90% of your 2026 tax or 100% of your 2025 tax (110% if your 2025 AGI was over $150,000, or $75,000 if married filing separately), per IRS Pub. 505 and the Form 2210 instructions.
Not if you have paychecks left. A new Form W-4 with an amount in Step 4(c) adds tax to each remaining paycheck. For the penalty, the IRS treats withheld tax as paid evenly through the year unless you show otherwise, so withholding late in the year still counts. With no paychecks left, the last 2026 estimated tax payment is due Jan. 15, 2027.
Step 4(c) is extra withholding: the dollar amount you enter is withheld from each paycheck on top of the normal amount. It's the simplest way to cover a gap.
Yes. The 2026 Form W-4 Deductions Worksheet (Step 4(b)) has lines for qualified tips (up to $25,000), qualified overtime (up to $12,500, $25,000 if married filing jointly), passenger vehicle loan interest (up to $10,000) and the $6,000 deduction for people 65 or older, each with income limits. Entering them lowers withholding.
Only someone who had no federal income tax liability in 2025 and expects none in 2026. An exempt W-4 expires; a new one is due by Feb. 16, 2027 to stay exempt.
No, unless you claim exempt. The IRS suggests a new W-4 when your situation changes (marriage, a second job, a new child, other income) and a recheck with the estimator early each year.
Not tax advice. Figures are republished from the IRS with dates; confirm with IRS.gov or a tax professional before acting.