topic Re: Update W4 in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Update W4

WendyFoy — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:33:25 GMT

How do I calculate what needs to be correctly deducted to update my W4 and DE-4? It's not as simple as choosing Married-1 anymore.

Re: Update W4

Cindy4 — Wed, 29 May 2024 16:26:10 GMT

The best way to calculate your W-4 and DE-4 withholding requirements is to use our withholding estimator tool.

Once you fill in the information you will be guided to which elections to make.

Hope this helps!

Cindy

Re: Update W4

WendyFoy — Wed, 29 May 2024 16:30:29 GMT

When using the calculator tool, it shows a negative amount in the 2025 estimated payment - does this mean that is how much I will owe next year?

Do I change the "your paycheck impact" to adjust the extra tax to withhold per pay period? Meaning they will continue to take out the same as what they are currently taking out PLUS this amount? Or will the amount taken out be only this new amount?

Re: Update W4

ShannonDuff — Wed, 29 May 2024 16:34:35 GMT

To correctly calculate (changes happen so this is always an estimate) your W4 and De-4 you will need to:

Have an estimate of the amount of income you will earn in 2024
Know how many dependents you will claim
Know your filing status
Taxpayer and spouse age
If taxpayer or spouse are blind
Other adjustments/credit that may affect your liability

These all go into the calculation for withholdings. You will want to claim one deduction for each person you are claiming. The easiest way to do this is with TurboTax's W-4 Withholding calculator https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/w4/

The D-4 is much the same. If you look at the instructions it will have step by step calculation to get the most accurate number. It also has a tax worksheet that can help you determine your liability for the year. https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/pdf_pub_ctr/de4.pdf

Re: Update W4

Cindy4 — Wed, 29 May 2024 16:35:13 GMT

Yes, that will be the amount you owe, and any amount entered in step 4(c) will be an extra amount they will withhold in addition to what you are having withheld already.