W4 Form Question

elisamvelasquez — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 20:04:31 GMT

When completing a new W4 form, what happens if I don't check the box 2c? My spouse and I are married filing jointly but our jobs are not close in pay. Thanks!

Re: W4 Form Question

DMarkM1 — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 19:08:20 GMT

It depends on how you complete the other steps on the W4 as well as how you complete the W4 for the other job.

Typically, a married couple filing jointly with each having a job or jobs, who do not complete steps 2, 3 and 4 as applicable on the form W-4, will have lower withholding throughout the year, meaning the end-of-year tax bill will be higher (or a lower refund).

In your situation, since you mention your jobs are not close in pay, then you would be correct to not check step 2c on either job W4 and instead consider steps 2a or 2b for the higher paying job W4 only.

For the lower paying job W4 you would complete steps 1 and 5 only.

This should result in withholding that is close to the tax owed. If you want a higher refund (more withholding) then increase the amount on line 4c on either form W4.

You might also consider the TurboTax W4 Calculator to assist with completing the form W4 for the highest paying job.

topic Re: W4 Form Question in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

W4 Form Question

Re: W4 Form Question