Federal income tax withholding is the amount your employer deducts from your paycheck to prepay your federal income taxes. The amount withheld depends on several factors.
How Withholding is Calculated
Your employer uses IRS tax tables to determine how much to withhold based on:
- Your filing status (single, married, head of household)
- The number of allowances you claim on your W-4
- Your gross pay for the pay period
- Your pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.)
The IRS updates withholding tables annually. Paystub Studio uses the most current tables for accurate calculations.
Filing Status Options
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Single | Unmarried or legally separated |
| Married Filing Jointly | Married and filing a joint return |
| Married Filing Separately | Married but filing separate returns |
| Head of Household | Unmarried with qualifying dependents |
Adjusting Your Withholding
If you find that you're having too much or too little withheld, you can submit a new W-4 to your employer.
1
Review your last tax return
Check if you received a large refund (too much withheld) or owed money (too little withheld).
2
Use the IRS estimator
The IRS provides a Tax Withholding Estimator to help you determine the right amount.
3
Submit a new W-4
Complete a new Form W-4 and give it to your employer's payroll department.