W4 - getting our W4 withholdings right

[BDJAWC]

My spouse and I have struggled to get the deductions from our paychecks right so we don't owe anything. Every year our pay changes at some point complicating it all. Any help would be appreciated.

[Cindy4]

Whenever your pay changes you can put our TurboTax Withholding Calculator to work to do a withholding check-up.

An additional consideration is if you happen to change jobs during the year.  This often causes folks to under withhold for the year.  Here's a great article about that:  https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/jobs-and-career/changing-jobs/L5ElUIrh6

Hope this helps and thanks for joining our event today @BDJAWC !

Cindy

[BDJAWC]

An added complication - my spouse works for the State of California and needs to complete STD686 which is their version of the W4 and State equivalent. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to match the federal W4. We need guidance on how to complete that specifically so it translates through.

[VolvoGirl]

My husband worked for the state of california and just filled out the W4.  It covered both.  I can't find that form STD 686 on the CA FTB website.  

[BDJAWC]

This is the Employee Action Request from the State Controller's Office that is required for any employee to make adjustments to their withholdings. https://sco.ca.gov/ppsd_ear_and_fed_withholdings_toolkit.html

[Cindy4]

Have you tried this guide?  https://www.csusb.edu/sites/default/files/EAR_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf

[evelynm]

I believe you need the California Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate DE4:  https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/pdf_pub_ctr/de4.pdf

[VolvoGirl]

@evelynm  DE4 would be if you worked for a private employer, not for the state.  I did find the STD686.  It looks complicated.

https://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dgs/fmc/pdf/std686.pdf