Are my wages (when looking at Table 1 in the "Two-Earners/Multiple Jobs Worksheet section of the W-4) only what I will be paid by the end of the year?

[erik21889]

I'm married and just started a job. It is the end of October, so I will only be paid 3 or 4 times before the end of the year. This job will only last 3.5 months, so I know exactly how much I will be paid in total. My question is: when looking at Table 1 in the "Two Earners" section, do I use the tax bracket based on how much money I will make by the end of the year, or based on what my wages would be if I were to make this much for an entire year?

[Critter · Accepted solution]

Use your expected actual  income amount  not just one paycheck. 

[Critter]

If you are looking to compute the 2018 withholding and you will be working the entire year then you would also use the annual income for the 2018 calculation.

[Critter]

Ok ... probably wasn't clear ... use the expected annual income you will receive in 2017 since the W-4 calculations are based on annual amounts but do not add in income you will not earn.

[erik21889]

Does that mean I should include income from a previous job this year?

[Critter]

Yes ... you need to enter ALL your annual income from all sources to estimate the required withholding allowances.

[erik21889]

Thank you!

[erik21889]

Wait, I should include the income from a previous job this year, even though I've already had income tax withheld from those paychecks?

[Critter]

Again yes, because you cannot estimate withholding allowances on only a part year income.