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Level 1
posted May 29, 2024 10:54:47 AM

Filing jointly

How do I fill out my W-4 if my spouse works too? We received a refund for federal, but we owed for California this past year. I'm not sure if we filled out our W-4s when we started our new jobs. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!

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2 Replies
Level 1
May 29, 2024 10:56:48 AM

*I'm not sure we filled out our W-4 correctly 

Employee Tax Expert
May 29, 2024 11:16:40 AM

  • Complete W-4 STEP 1 through STEP 5.
  • You may choose to leave STEP 3 blank, if you would like more money to be withheld.
  • It is strongly encouraged that married couples account for ALL jobs.
  • If both spouses are employed, their W-4 should be filled simultaneously.
  • COORDINATION is important as there are factors that should only be considered for one spouse’s W-4, such as deductions and dependents.
    Employee’s Withholding Certificate 
    W-4 Calculator 2024 


    CALIFORNIA STATE
  • UPDATE your Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate from the STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Form DE.
  • UPDATE your Personal Information. In your case, you should select the box "Single or Married (with two or more incomes) "
  • UPDATE your allowances according to Worksheets A, B, and C as applicable.
  • Please bear in mind that the less allowances claimed implies that more taxes will be withheld.
  • Finally, since you are making changes in the middle of the year, you may consider making additional amounts of withholdings be taken out to compensate for the withholdings that were not adjusted since the Beginning of the Tax Year.
    Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate 


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