W-4 Withholding Calculator 2026

Answer 4 quick questions. Get your exact recommended withholding — no tax knowledge needed.

Step 1 of 4Your paycheck

How much do you get paid?

Enter your gross pay — that's before taxes are taken out.

$

Not sure? Check your most recent pay stub — look for "Gross Pay."

Live preview

Withholding per paycheck

$236

$6,146 / year

Projected Refund

$0

You're withholding more than needed — IRS will refund the difference.

Download blank W-4 from IRS.gov →

Updates as you answer each step

1Your paycheck
2Your situation
3Dependents
4Final adjustments

How W-4 Withholding Works

Your W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck. The IRS redesigned the form in 2020 — it now uses five steps and no longer has allowances. The calculator above follows IRS Publication 15-T (2026 Percentage Method).

2026 Standard Deductions

For 2026: $15,000 single · $30,000 married filing jointly · $22,500 head of household. This amount is subtracted from your gross income before tax rates apply — and it's already included in the calculation above.

When to Update Your W-4

  • You got married or divorced
  • You had a child (add $2,000 in Step 3)
  • You or your spouse started or ended a job
  • You got a large refund or owed a big bill last April
  • You have significant freelance or investment income

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit a new W-4 every year?
No. Your W-4 stays active until you submit a new one. Update it after major life changes or if your refund/bill was unexpectedly large.
What is gross pay?
Gross pay is what you earn before any taxes or deductions are taken out. You can find it on your pay stub — it's usually the largest number.
What if both my spouse and I work?
Answer Yes to the multiple-jobs question in Step 2. This increases withholding on each job, preventing a surprise tax bill when you file jointly.
How accurate is this calculator?
It implements IRS Publication 15-T (2026) Percentage Method — the same tables payroll software uses. Results are very accurate for standard W-2 situations.
Can I also see my state withholding?
Yes — visit the States hub to run federal + state side-by-side for any of the 50 states.