Im getting a second part-time job (~20 hrs a week) and I'm not sure what to put as the exception for the second job on the W-4. Thanks!

[short-ashley91]

I'm single.

[DanielV01 · Accepted solution]

It depends, but I usually recommend 0.  The reason why is that tax withholding from a second job does not take into account your first job and usually does not take out enough tax.  When you take zero allowances, you are forcing each job to take out at least 10% and perhaps more.  This is very important as you start reaching higher levels of income, which start to hit higher tax brackets and more tax.  If you are at only one job, 1 allowance claiming single usually takes out enough tax to get a small refund.  However, if you have 2 jobs, you are better claiming zero allowances for each.