01/26/2026
Federal Withholdings
The W-4 is confusing on purpose 😅 but once you know what each step actually does, it’s manageable.
The W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck. It does not decide:
Your tax rate or How much tax you owe overall.
Step 3: Dependents & credits
Only fill this out if it applies to you.
Children under 17 → $2,000 each
Other dependents → $500 each
Put the total on the line.
👉 If you’re single with no kids, this is usually $0.
✅ Section 4(c) Extra withholding
This is the simplest and most powerful line.
If you want: If you’re not taking out enough, go add in a dollar amount per pay period to be taken out.
A bigger refund 💸
To avoid owing taxes 😬
Don’t just choose ANY tax prep, Choose the professional who has the knowledge to help you make smart financial decisions… 🙋🏽♀️
