Is filing married filing at a higher single rate the same as filing single on you W4?

[Critter]

Yes.  And on the W-4 you are not filing anything ... you are just letting the employer know which withholding chart to use the  married or single one and how many allowances you are claiming for the correct column. 

[VolvoGirl]

Yes.  By the way, your w4 at work doesn’t have to match your tax return status.  I’m married but claim Single at work to have more taken out.  If you are married and both work you might not have enough withholding on each job to cover the tax liability on your return.