The IRS released a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate in 2020. The new Form W-4 is very different from previous versions prior to 2020 due to the federal tax law changes that took place in 2018. Allowances are no longer used for the redesigned form. The Payroll Department has compiled the following information and tools to assist you with this new form change:
Current Form W-4 Withholdings:
- If you are a current employee hired prior to 1/1/2020, you do not have to complete a new Form W-4.
- If you choose to not submit a new form, withholding will continue based on your previously submitted form.
Who MUST complete a new Form W-4:
- Any new hire 1/1/2020 or later.
- If you do not complete a new form, the default is Single or Married filing Separately
NOTE: Anyone first logging into Employee Self-Service through the new PittWorx system will need to use the new Form W-4. For instructions, please click here.
Who SHOULD consider reviewing and updating their Form W-4:
- Significant job/salary change for you or your spouse
- People with children who claim credits, such as the Child Tax/Dependent Credit
- Add/remove dependents
- People with high incomes or more complex tax returns
Resources to assist you with completing the new Form W-4:
- IRS FAQs
- IRS 2022 Publication 15T Federal Income Withholding Tables
- IRS Federal Tax Withholding Estimator
- IRS Publication 5349 Year Round Tax Planning is for Everyone
- IRS Publication 5348 Get Ready to File
If you do elect to change your federal income tax withholding:
- Use your results from the Withholding Calculator to complete an online Form W-4 change at my.pitt.edu > Search for Pitt Worx > Me > Address & Tax Form Changes.
- You must complete Steps 1 and 5.
- Steps 2, 3 and 4 should be completed only if they apply to your taxpayer situation and will help ensure that your federal income tax withholding will more accurately match your tax liability. If these do not apply, these steps may be skipped.
- Step 1 is for your personal information.
- Step 2 is for households with multiple jobs.
- Step 3 is used to claim tax credits for dependents.
- Step 4 is for other adjustments (additional income such as interest/dividends, itemized deductions that exceed the standard deduction, and extra tax you want withheld)
- Step 5 is where you sign the form
After you submit your change, please be sure to review your next online pay statement. It is important you do a review to ensure the correct amount of taxes are withheld. If you need to make additional changes, the IRS permits you to update your Form W-4 at any time throughout the year.
Non-Resident Aliens:
The new tax tables may impact nonresident alien pays differently than other types of employees. Please review IRS Publication 15 – Section 9 and IRS Publication 15-T Page 5/6 for additional information.
We are not able to advise you on how to complete this form, as it relates to personal individual tax information. After reviewing the IRS website and tools they provide, if you still require additional assistance regarding your withholding, please consult your tax adviser.
For general questions related to this information, please submit an inquiry and we will be happy to assist you.
The University of Pittsburgh Payroll Department
Revised 2/2/2022