Confused about W4 form and updates - please help

[RSS24]

Hi all, my wife and I need to update our W4s (filing Married Jointly) and we used the IRS' Tax Withholding Estimator to better understand how much we should each withhold. Once I entered all of our information, it gave us 2 new W4s to use. The first W4, which looks to be connected to my income, has updated the withholding dollar value in section 4C. In the second W4, which is connected to my wife's income, it did not update anything within 4C, but rather updated section 3 (Claim Dependent and Other Credits) to a negative value. I believe that is due to our son's daycare expenses. 

My question is: Do we need to submit both W4s to each of our jobs? Or do we submit only 1 each? If it's only 1 each, I'm assuming I would submit the first one where it added dollars to 4C, and my wife would submit the one that updated section 3. 

[RSS24]

Not sure this helps in any way, but the Estimator also stated we aren't withholding enough and need to do more. Essentially, do one of us need to do more or both of us? That's part of my confusion because only 1 new W4 is adding dollars to section 4C, while the other created a negative value for section 3.

[DawnC]

Assuming you both only have one job, each of you should give your W-4 form to your employer.   The W-4 tells your employer how much to withhold, so there is no point giving your employer your spouse's W-4 form.   

You estimate your incomes and 2025 deductions and credits.   Then TurboTax fills out the W-4 forms based off that information.   If your estimates are an accurate representation of your 2025 tax situation, your tax bill should be approximately zero.   

If you have not filed your tax returns yet, you can prepare new W-4s in TurboTax as well.  How do I update and print a new W-4?

More information on W-4s and withholding.   Keep in mind, you can increase or decrease your withholding multiple times during the tax year if necessary.    

[RSS24]

Hi Dawn, thanks so much- this is helpful to know. 

Just to confirm, it would okay that my new W4 has an increase in amount to withhold 4C and my wife's does not. And my wife's new W4 has a negative value in 3C and mine does not. Just wanted to confirm that because then I can give mine to my company and my wife can get her new one to her company. 

[MaryK4]

You may have to contact your employer to see if you can do the negative amount for #3- some payroll systems cannot handle the calculation but most are able. @RSS24