Plan your paycheck
Make your W-4 work for you.
Choose how much tax to pay through your paychecks. See the tradeoff and get plain-language entries for your 2026 W-4.
Build your estimate
Example numbers are filled in so you can test it. Replace them with your latest pay stub for each job. Dollar amounts are annual unless marked “per paycheck.”
Your paychecks
For a joint return, answer the spouse work question above, then include every job for both of you. For a separate return, enter only jobs on your own return. “Remaining paychecks” means pay dates left in 2026, including the next one.
Family and other tax details
Your calculation stays in your browser. To request a report, enter your contact information; only your report and lead details are sent to provide it. Do not enter Social Security numbers.
How this estimate works and when to check the IRS tool
We estimate annual income tax using 2026 federal brackets, the standard deduction, and the child and other dependent credits you enter. We estimate paycheck withholding using the automated payroll percentage method in IRS Publication 15-T and the W-4 entries displayed above. We combine federal withholding already paid with future paychecks to estimate a refund or amount owed. Employers may use another permitted method, different pay timing, rounding, bonuses, or other adjustments.
This calculator models ordinary W-2 wages and ordinary additional income. It does not calculate self-employment tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, refundable credits, investment tax, AMT, qualified tips or overtime deductions, age-related deductions, or all itemized deduction limitations. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator when those apply, for changing income during the year, or to double-check a midyear change. Do not claim a W-4 exemption unless you meet both IRS conditions.
IRS sources
ClervOx Tax Advisors LLC · info@clervoxtax.com · clervoxtax.com