FederalSame rules in every state
See whether your paychecks are on track for a refund or a tax bill, and what to change on your W-4.
This checks federal income tax withholding for 2026 from one job. Oregon has its own form (OR-W-4); Washington has no income tax.
Whether the federal tax taken out of your pay will cover what you owe for 2026. If it takes out too much, you get a refund. Too little, and you owe when you file.
Give your employer a new Form W-4. To take out more, write an extra amount per paycheck in Step 4(c). To take out less, claim your children in Step 3. You can change it any time.
Not bad, but it means you lent the government money all year for free. Some people like the forced savings. Others would rather have the money in each paycheck.
Usually not if you owe less than $1,000, or if withholding covered at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's.
The EITC and other credits, a second job, a working spouse, and itemized deductions. For those, use the tax refund calculator or the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.