Help filling out multiple W4s

ryane87 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:15:58 GMT

Ok so I just got married a couple months ago. I would like to update my W4 as well as have my wife update hers. I am finding the form to be confusing as to what a parts to fill out for what W4.

I have the primary income on my full-time salaried position. I also have a second much smaller W4 (couple thousand dollars a year) and I also work 2-3 different 1099 positions.

My wife works an hourly job but her hours radically change. A few months ago she was working 24-30 hours a week but now she is working at least 40 a week. It's a new job so I can't say what her yearly income averages but I guess she will make about 1/4 to 1/3 of my salaried position.

Any guidance on how to go about filling out all 3 w4s? Ideally I receive a decent refund at the end of the year but I don't want to owe and don't want to drastically overpay.

Re: Help filling out multiple W4s

Anonymous_ — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 15:08:24 GMT

@Critter-3

Re: Help filling out multiple W4s

DianeW777 — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 19:28:17 GMT

Yes. There are general guidelines to keep in mind when completing your W-4 for each employer. First, if you know your income will be subject to income tax without any additional income from your spouse then every dollar your spouse makes will be subject to tax at your highest tax bracket. The link below will show you the rates based on your taxable income amount. The following link may be helpful. Make sure to read the paragraphs below before you begin.

IRS Tax Withholding Estimator
TurboTax W-4 Calculator (It is helpful even though it shows 2022.)

If you see that the income from your spouse will put you in a particular tax bracket, you can choose to add an extra withholding amount to be taken from either your check or your spouse's check each pay day using Step 4, line 4(c), Form W-4.

To calculate the amount, use the pay from your spouse (estimated for the year), multiply it by the tax rate based on your combined income from the chart, then divide that by the number of your total number of pay periods remaining for the year. Enter the amount on your W-4, or your spouse's W-4 (not both). This will be used to calculate the full amount of federal withholding for each pay check.
Use this same formula for your secondary job once you calculate the full tax on that income next.

Your income from your 1099 income will be considered self employment, which requires additional taxes to be paid called self employment tax.

You can use the same formula above, then add the self employment taxes to your calculated personal income tax. See how to calculate self employment tax next.

Self employment tax equals .062 + .0145 x the next income (after expenses necessary to earn this income).

You can include this amount with your W-4 for your main job or you can choose to send in estimated tax payments for this income. Withholding is usually easier.

If you do not have children then do not complete Step 3 of the W-4 for either of you. If you do, then use it on your W-4 only.

topic Help filling out multiple W4s in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Help filling out multiple W4s

Re: Help filling out multiple W4s

Re: Help filling out multiple W4s