Employee's Withholding Certificate - Step 2-5 Guide - 2020 Form W-4

Sep 19, 2026

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Instructions for completing IRS Form W-4 (2020) focusing on the withholding process for multiple jobs and situations involving a spouse working. Covers Step 1 personal information checks, then specifies when to complete Steps 2 through 4, including using the IRS estimator or the Multiple Jobs Worksheet, claiming dependents, and entering optional other income, deductions, and extra withholding. Finishes with Step 5 signing requirements, employer-only fields, and the certification statement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages1

AccessFree to download

Step 2: Multiple Jobs or Spouse - Works

Complete steps 2-4 only if they apply; otherwise skip to Step 5

Do only one of the following for Step 2(a)-(c)

Complete Step 3: Claim Dependents

Complete Step 4 (optional): Other Adjustments

Step 5: Sign Here

# Step 2: Multiple Jobs or Spouse ## Works For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice,see page 3. | Form
Department of the Treasury
ntermnal Revenue Service | | Employee's Withholding Certificate
▶Complete Form W-4 so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay
▶Give Form W-4 to your employer.
▶Your withholding is subject to review by the IRS. | | | OMB No.1545-0074 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | 2020 | | Step 1:
Enter
Personal
Information | (a)First name and middle initial | | Last name | (b)Social security number | | | | Address | | | ▶Does your name match the
name on your social security
card?If not,to ensure you get
credit for your earnings,contact
SSA at 800-772-1213 or go to
www.ssa.gov. | | | | City or townstate,and ZIP code | | | | | | | (c)□Single or Marriedfiling separately
□Marriedfiling jointly (or Qualiying widow(er)
Head of household(Check only if you're unmaried and pay more than half the costs of keeping up a home for yourself and a qualifyig individual. | | | | | # Complete Steps 2-4 ONLY if they apply to you;otherwise,skip to Step5.See page 2 for more information on each step,who canclaim exemption from withholding,when to use the online estimator,and privacy. Complete this step if you(1)hold more than one job at a time,or(2)are married filing jointly and your spousealso works.The correct amount of withholding depends on income earned from allof these jobs. # Do only one of the following. (a)Use the estimator at www.irs.gov/W4App for most accurate withholding for this step(and Steps 3-4);or (b)Use the Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page 3 and enter the result in Step 4(c)below for roughly accurate withholding;or(c)If there are only two jobs total,you may check this box.Do the same on Form W-4 for the other job.This optionis accurate for jobs with similar pay;otherwise,more tax than necessary may be withheld.....▶口 # TIP:To be accurate,submit a 2020 Form W-4 for all other jobs.If you (or your spouse)have self-employment income,including as an independent contractor,use the estimator. # Complete Steps 3-4(b)on Form W-4 for only ONE of these jobs.Leave those steps blank for the other jobs.(Your withholding will be most accurate if you complete Steps 3-4(b)on the Form W-4 for the highest paying job.) | Step 3:
Claim
Dependents | If your income will be $200,000 or less($400,000 or less if married iling jointly):
Multiply the number of qualifying children under age 17 by $2,000▶$ | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Multiply the number of other dependents by $500.··▶$ | | | | | Add the amounts above and enter the total here......·.. | 3 | $ | | Step 4
(optional):
Other
Adjustments | (a)Other income(not from jobs).If you want tax withheld for other income you expect
this year that won't have withholding,enter the amount of other income here.This may
include interest,dividends,and retirement income .······· | 4(a) | $ | | | | | | | | (b)Deductions.If you expect to claim deductions other than the standard deduction
and want to reduce your withholding,use the Deductions Worksheet on page 3 and
enter the result here .·.... | 4(b) | $ | | | (c)Extra withholding.Enter any additional tax you want withheld each pay period. | 4(c) | $ | | Step 5:
Sign
Here | Under penalties of perjury,I declare that this certificate,to the best of my knowledge and belief,is true,correct,and complete.
Employee's signature (This form is not valid unless you sign it.)
Date | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Employers
Only | Employer's name and address | First date of
employment | Employer identification
number(EIN) | FormW-4(2020) Gat.No.10220Q

FAQs

When should you complete Steps 2 through 4 on Form W-4 (2020)?

Complete Steps 2-4 only if you have more than one job at the same time or if you are married filing jointly and your spouse also works. Otherwise, skip to Step 5.

How do you determine withholding for multiple jobs in Step 2?

Use the IRS estimator for most accurate withholding, or use the Multiple Jobs Worksheet and enter the result in Step 4(c) for a roughly accurate amount. If there are only two jobs with similar pay, you may check the box and complete the same for the other job.

What amounts are entered in Step 3 for dependents?

Multiply qualifying children under age 17 by $2,000 and multiply other dependents by $500, then add the amounts and enter the total in Step 3.

What must be done in Step 5 to make the form valid?

Sign the form under penalties of perjury. The form is not valid unless the employee signs it.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Oliver