W-4
Included in this page:
W-4 is an Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate IRS form that
determines how much Federal Withholding Taxes will be deducted from an
employee's paycheck.
- A W-4 form must be completed upon initial hire.
- This can be done online in ESS (Employee Self-Service) . Only Non-Resident Alien Employees are required to fill out a paper form.
- If the form is not completed, the employee's federal tax withholding will be set to the default at
Single and claim 0, which is the highest rate.
- Go to ESS (Employee Self-Service) . ** You must have a
UWNetID.
- Go to the Taxes section of ESS to find the W-4 link.
- Select either Add W-4 or Update W-4 and complete the form.
- Complete the paper W-4 form
- All boxes must be filled in.
- 1-3 must be completed.
- 4,5,6, and 7 as applicable.
(However, you cannot fill in both 5 & 7.)
- If you claim exempt, you must refile every year.
- Deadline is indicated on the W-4 form.
Please note: If the form is not correctly completed, your status will be
defaulted until it is correctly completed and returned to the Payroll
Office. Refunds are not issued.
- Check your paycheck stub or advice slip to ensure that the rate has
been entered correctly.
- If at any time you would like to make changes, update it on ESS or turn in a new W-4 form
and return it to the Payroll Office. This will supercede your previous W-4
form.
- If you are a Non-resident Alien, please refer to the special rules section on
completing the W-4 form.
- If an employee sends another W-4 form, the most recent form will
supercede the
old information.
- Encourage employees to update W-4 information in ESS.
- Be familiar with W-4 so you can help employees in your
department who have questions.
- Print W-4 forms for your Non-Resident Alien employees to use.
- Withholding status is located within the check stub as well as in ESS. Encourage
employees to check this to make sure it is correct.
- Can Payroll Office advise me on how much allowance to take?
- The Payroll Office cannot give out tax advice. If you have any
questions about what you should claim or the W-4 in general, you should
contact your own tax advisor.
- Can you combine two W-4 forms?
- No. Your most recent W-4 form will supercede any other W-4 forms
on
file.
- If I am married, can I claim single status if the purpose is to have
more tax withheld?
- Can I turn in a W-4 today that was effective retroactively, thus
getting
a refund?
- For finanical advice, please contact your personal financial advisor.
- If you are a departmental payroll coordinator, please contact the W-4
Coordinator in the Payroll Office.
