Withholding planning
W-4 Withholding Calculator
Estimate a federal withholding target per paycheck for W-4 planning and compare weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly and monthly pay schedules.
Calculator
Calculator
W-4 withholding planning
W-4 planning is about matching paycheck withholding to estimated annual federal tax. Too little withholding can create an amount owed; too much can create a refund.
Worked example
If estimated annual federal tax is $5,200 and pay frequency is biweekly, the base withholding target is about $200 per paycheck before any extra withholding.
Methodology
The calculator estimates annual federal income tax after standard deduction, extra deductions and credits, divides it by pay frequency, then adds any extra withholding per paycheck.
Official sources and review
Tax year: 2026. Last reviewed: August 16, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is this exact tax advice?
No. It is an educational federal estimate. Use official IRS guidance or a qualified tax professional for filing decisions.
Does this include state tax?
No. These tax tools focus on US federal estimates unless a page explicitly says otherwise.
Does the calculator save my inputs?
No account is required and the calculator runs in your browser. Do not enter private documents or account numbers.