How do I fill out a W-4 to get more money on my paycheck?

To fill out a W-4 to get more money on your paycheck, lower your federal withholding by claiming credits in Step 3 or deductions in Step 4(b), and by leaving extra withholding in Step 4(c) blank. Those are the only lines that raise take-home pay. On a $60,000 single salary paid every two weeks, one child under 17 in Step 3 cuts federal withholding from $193.08 to $108.46 a check.

Step 3 is a dollar-for-dollar credit, so it moves withholding the most: $2,200 per child, spread over 26 paychecks. Step 4(b) only removes deductions from your taxable wages, so $5,000 there drops withholding by $23.08 a check. Claim Step 3 first if you have dependents.

Nothing here changes FICA: Social Security and Medicare still take $176.54 a check. A bigger paycheck now means a smaller refund, or a balance due in April. Only claim what you will have. Try it in the California paycheck calculator, or read the full W-4 walkthrough.