Do you actually understand how much tax comes out of your paycheck?
That's your withholding — and it's controlled by a form called the W-4 that most people fill out by guessing. The IRS's own online tool for fixing it is rated just 2.2 out of 5 stars. Filler gets it right in about 3 minutes, in plain English.
No login. No data stored. Takes about 3 minutes.
1 in 5
Americans owe money at tax time from under-withholding
$3,900
Average tax refund — money that could have been in your paycheck all year
$1,200
Average unexpected tax bill from incorrect withholding
✓ 3 minutes
Question 3 of 9
Do you have children or other dependents?
Yes, I have dependents
No dependents
3 of 9
We do not store your answers
Guidance only — not tax advice
We do not sell your data
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Question 1 of 8
Question 1
How do you file your taxes?
Your filing status is the single biggest factor in how much tax is withheld from each paycheck.
Question 2
Are there two incomes in your household?
This includes a second job of your own, or a spouse who also works. This is the most common reason people end up owing money at tax time — each job withholds as if it were your only income.
Question 3
What are the two household incomes?
Estimates are perfectly fine — round to the nearest $5,000 if easier. We use these to calculate how much extra withholding you may need.
Your annual salary from this job
Gross annual salary before taxes
Second income (spouse or second job)
Estimate is fine — round numbers work perfectly
Question 3
Do you have children or other dependents?
Dependents reduce the amount withheld by applying tax credits. This is one of the biggest factors in getting your withholding right.
Question 4
How many dependents do you have?
Children under 17 qualify for a $2,000 tax credit each. Other dependents — an elderly parent, adult child, or other relative — qualify for $500 each.
Children under age 17
Other dependents
Question 4
What is your estimated annual income from this job?
Your best estimate is fine — we use this to calculate the right credit amounts for your situation.
Under $25,000
$25,000 – $50,000
$50,000 – $75,000
$75,000 – $100,000
$100,000 – $150,000
$150,000 – $200,000
$200,000 – $300,000
Over $300,000
Question 5
Do you typically itemize your deductions?
Itemizing means claiming specific expenses — mortgage interest, charitable donations, significant medical costs — instead of taking the standard deduction. Most people take the standard deduction. When in doubt, choose No.
Do you know roughly what your total itemized deductions were last year?
Enter your total itemized deductions from last year
$
No problem. Leave Step 4b blank for now — that is the safe default and means your withholding will use the standard deduction. When you have a moment, pull up last year's tax return and look for Schedule A. The total is on the last line. Come back and update your W-4 once you have it.
Question 6
Will you have other taxable income this year beyond this job?
This includes freelance work, investment income, rental income, pension payments, or a side business. Your W-4 only covers withholding on this job — other income is not automatically withheld anywhere.
Estimate your other taxable income this year
$
Round up if unsure — it is better to withhold slightly more than to be caught short
Question 7
When you filed your taxes last year, how did it go?
This helps us calibrate your withholding to avoid a repeat of last year's outcome.
Question 8
Roughly how much did you owe last year?
This lets us calculate a specific extra withholding amount — not a guess, but a number tied to your actual situation.
Under $500
$500 – $1,000
$1,000 – $2,000
$2,000 – $5,000
$5,000 – $10,000
Over $10,000
Enter the approximate amount you owed
$
Question 8
How often do you get paid?
We use this to calculate exactly how much extra to withhold per paycheck — and to show you how that adds up over the year.
Question 9
Have any of these happened to you this year?
Life changes are the most common reason withholding goes wrong mid-career. Select everything that applies.
💍 Got married
📋 Got divorced
👶 Had or adopted a child
🏡 Bought a home
💼 Started a second job
👥 Spouse started or stopped working
None of these apply to me
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Complete
Your W-4 Values
Enter these numbers on your W-4 — your withholding is now set correctly for your situation.
What to Enter on Your W-4
What This Means for You
📊
Things to Pay Attention To
Get a reminder when it's time to update your W-4
We'll reach out each January and after major life events — nothing else.
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Finally understand your withholdings.
Filler provides guidance to help you complete your W-4 accurately based on your inputs. It does not constitute tax advice. For complex tax situations — including significant investment income, self-employment, or multi-state filing — consult a qualified tax professional.