topic Re: W4p help in Retirement tax questions

W4p help

W4phelpisneeded — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:27:56 GMT

I am going to retire soon. My husband is still working. I did the IRS estimated tax refund calculator online and it gives a gross income then notes payroll/standard deductions and then gives a taxable income. The gross income includes my partial year income, his yearly income and interest/capital gains/dividends (projected for this year). What goes in Box 2bi on the W4p? The gross income or the taxable income? Or just the gross income from jobs and then the interest/capital gains/dividends goes in 4a? From what I understand my new annuity will not be projected on this since I haven't receive it yet.

Re: W4p help

DianeW777 — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:44:01 GMT

The entry for Line 2bi is the gross income from jobs (your husband's job if you are not working).

If you (and/or your spouse) have one or more jobs, then enter the total taxable annual pay from all jobs, plus any income entered on Form W-4, Step 4(a), for the jobs, minus the deductions entered on Form W-4, Step 4(b), for the jobs. Otherwise, enter “-0-”

The entry for Line 4a is the interest/capital gains/dividends or any income where there will be no withholding.

The new annuity will utilize this W-4P once you begin taking distribution. Like a W-4, this form can be filed with your plan administrator as often as you need whenever a change is necessary.

Re: W4p help

W4phelpisneeded — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:58:36 GMT

Thank you!!! So 2bi is the gross amount of what I have made for the first few months of the year plus his total he should make for the year from his job. There are deductions for pensions and health insurance and such but that would not count, I am assuming, as "deductions" for the jobs to be subtracted from the gross amount. I think that is what is really throwing me, what is a deduction in this case to be subtracted. We will just take the standard deduction on our taxes. And then I will put the other income as noted into 4a.

Re: W4p help

DianeW777 — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:11:39 GMT

Yes, you are correct. Count the taxable wages (less the pension and health insurance tax free amounts).

Deductions are listed on page 4, Form W-4P (use the link to review and then enter the appropriate amount

It includes things that will be new for 2026, cash contributions without itemizing for example (line 13), included with your standard deduction.

@W4phelpisneeded

Re: W4p help

W4phelpisneeded — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:21:15 GMT

Ah. Ok I think I'm finally understanding. So it's gross income minus payroll deductions for the tax free pensions/health care. That will go in 2bi. Then the other dividends/intrest/etc will go in 4a. And if I don't put anything into 4b it will just assume the standard deduction. This is harder than it should be. 🙂 I really appreciate the help! thank you.