Calculate Tax Withholding with IRS Free Estimator Tool performs paycheck checkup. Making sure you withhold the correct amount of payroll taxes.

Why Use IRS Free Estimator Tool

The IRS encourages everyone to use the Tax Withholding Estimator to perform a “paycheck checkup.”  This will help you make sure you have the right amount of tax withheld from your paycheck.

There are several reasons to check your withholding:

Checking your withholding can help protect against having too little tax withheld and facing an unexpected tax bill or penalty at tax time next year. At the same time, you may prefer to have less tax withheld upfront, so you receive more in your paychecks and get a smaller refund at tax time.

When Should You Use IRS Free Estimator Tool

If you changed your withholding for 2019, the IRS reminds you to be sure to recheck your withholding at the start of 2020. A mid-year withholding change in 2019 may have a different full-year impact in 2020. So, if you do not file a new Form W-4 for 2020, your withholding might be higher or lower than you intend.

Also, if you had a major life change, such as marriage, the birth of a child, adoption, or bought a home. If you have additional questions about your withholding, consult your employer or tax accountant.

How to Use the IRS Free Estimator Tool

A step-by-step tutorial video for using the estimator is available for guidance. We recommend using the estimator after finishing this tutorial.

To Change Your Withholding IRS Free Estimator Tool

Use your results from the Tax Withholding Estimator to help you complete a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, and submit the completed Form W-4 to your employer as soon as possible. Withholding takes place throughout the year, so it’s better to take this step as soon as possible.

Many bookkeepers have an automated system for submitting an employee’s changes for Form W-4. Please be sure to check with your employer to see if they have this option available.

If you receive pension income, you can use the results from the estimator to complete a Form W-4P and give it to your payer.

• Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate
• Form W-4 P, Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments

Complex Tax Situations IRS Free Estimator Tool

This Tax Withholding Estimator works for most taxpayers. People with more complex tax situations should use the instructions in Publication 505, Tax Withholding, and Estimated Tax. This includes taxpayers who owe alternative minimum tax or certain other taxes and people with long-term capital gains or qualified dividends.

Security

The Tax Withholding Estimator does not ask you to provide sensitive information such as your name, Social Security number, address, or bank account numbers.

The IRS does not save or record the information you enter on the estimator.

How do I calculate little taxes taken out of my paycheck?

Using the IRS Free Estimator Tool the more allowances you claim on your Form W-4, the less income tax will be withheld from each paycheck. The number of allowances you should claim varies. It is based on a number of factors, such as marital status, job status, earned wages, filing status, and child or dependent care expenses.

Is it better to claim 1 or 0 if married?

Using the IRS Free Estimator Tool You’re typically safe claiming just one allowance if you’re single and have only one job. A married couple qualifies for a greater number of allowances than a single person, one for each spouse, so withholding is less.