I can't enter numerical values in the W-4 federal income tax

[apoorvag1]

I can't enter numerical values in the W-4 federal income tax withheld section. This number is pre-populated and can't be changed. Estimate tax values can be changed.

[rjs]

You entered the federal tax withholding on the W-2 information page at the beginning of the W-4 section. If you want to change the withholding, go back to the W-2 page, or start the W-4 section over again from the beginning.

[apoorvag1]

I thought that is where you put it how much you think you need to withhold for the entire year.

Here I thought they were asking for how much you have done so far year to date?

thanks

[apoorvag1]

thanks - should I enter tax withheld to date or overall expected withholdings for 2023?

[rjs]

It appears that you should enter the tax withheld to date.

I find this very confusing. On the first screen it wants you to enter the expected total wages for the year, but the year-to-date withholding. That is not at all clear from the wording on the screen. On a much later screen, near the end, it specifically asks for "Salary Received to Date."

You might be better off using the Tax Withholding Estimator on the IRS web site to figure out what to put on your W-4 form, and just skip or ignore the whole W-4 topic in TurboTax.