Need help with W-4S for Maternity leave

[sarah_wiesehan]

Hello,

I cannot seem to find any help filling out the W-4S for my upcoming maternity leave! There are no helpful articles or videos out there with help on this form (https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4-s). It is asking for the amount I would like withheld for federal income taxes for 2022, but I have no idea how to calculate this. 

For example, on the worksheet portion for Line 1, it asks me to "Enter amount of adjusted gross income that you expect for 2022". How can I know my AGI if the year isn't even over yet? 

The worksheet portion seems to be optional, and I can just input an amount in the 5th line in the top portion. Can I just look at my last pay stub and put the same amount that's currently being taken out for my federal income tax? And if so, do I also include the amounts for social security and medicare? Or just federal income tax?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

[JohnB5677]

Please get a copy of your 2021 tax return.  We'll walk through the posting.

1. Use the number on line 10 of your tax return for line 1 of the W-4S
2. Use the number on line 12c of your tax return on line 2 of the W-4S
3. Subtract line 2 from line 1
4. Figure your tax on line 3 by using the 2022 Tax Rate Schedule X, Y-1, Y-2, or Z on page 2
   1. The W-4S includes the Tax Table
5. Add lines 19 + 27a + 28 + 29 from the tax return and enter into box 5
6. Subtract line 4 from 5
7. leave blank
8. Subtract line 7 from 8
9. Enter the number of days you expect to be out
10. Divide line 8 by line 9

[sarah_wiesehan]

Thank you for this! However, my income and tax deductions will be different for 2022 than they were for 2021. I received a salary raise for this year and I will also be claiming my baby for the child tax credit for this year (this is our first child).

In short, I’m worried using my 2021 return won’t yield the correct amount to be taken out for federal income tax for 2022.

[JohnB5677]

You certainly can include those changes in the calculation.  Please understand that this is your best estimate. 

The W-4 is a guide for your employer to withhold taxes.  The information you already have will get you very close.  Realize that your taxes are calculated based on tax brackets.  Those tax brackets span thousands of dollars.  The information you already have will get you into the right tax bracket.