I am starting a new job and need to complete a new W-4. I plan to select "Married filing jointly" and then use option 2b in step 2. We have 1 dependent to claim and I am the higher earner, with my wife earning less than 50% of my income. I understand that my form should include the extra withholding amount (4c) based on the worksheet as well as the $2,000 credit for 1 dependent, but how should my wife update her W-4? Should she also have the same extra withholding amount? What should her W-4 look like?
Thanks in advance!
No. Typically the second W4 would not include any extra withholding. The worksheet calculations would have accounted for that income. She should select "Married Filing Jointly" in step 1 and sign in step 5.
Thank you so much for the quick and clear response. To summarize:
I (the higher earner) will complete sections 2-4, include our dependent and additional withholding based on the worksheet.
My wife (the lower earner) will only mark married filing jointly and sign, without adding additional withholding or dependents.
Hope I understood that correctly.
Thanks again!