How many allowances should I claim in Kansas?
On Kansas's K-4, a single filer with no dependents usually claims 1 and a married couple 2, plus one for each dependent. The first allowance is worth $9,160 a year ($18,320 for two at the joint rate), and each one after that takes $2,320 a year off the wages Kansas withholding is figured on. On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks, one allowance more than that raises each paycheck by about $4.98. Claiming fewer means more withheld now and a bigger refund later.
How to count your allowances on the K-4
The K-4 worksheet counts allowances for yourself, for your spouse if you use the Joint rate, for head of household status, and for each dependent. You also pick an allowance rate, Single or Joint. Each allowance for a dependent or for head of household takes $2,320 a year off the wages withholding is figured on.
The allowance rate is not the same as your filing status: a married worker whose spouse also works should mark the Single rate. Head of household filers also withhold at the Single rate.
If you never file a K-4, your employer withholds at the Single rate with zero allowances.
Kansas withholding by number of allowances
Single filer earning $60,000 a year, paid every two weeks, federal W-4 with no adjustments. The highlighted row is the usual count for a single filer with no dependents.
| Allowances | Kansas tax withheld | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $117.67 | $1,820.41 |
| 1 | $98.01 | $1,840.06 |
| 2 | $93.03 | $1,845.04 |
| 3 | $88.05 | $1,850.02 |
| 4 | $83.07 | $1,855.00 |
| 5 | $78.10 | $1,859.98 |
Married couple on one $100,000 income, paid every two weeks:
| Allowances | Kansas tax withheld | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $190.21 | $3,067.87 |
| 1 | $170.55 | $3,087.53 |
| 2 | $150.89 | $3,107.19 |
| 3 | $145.91 | $3,112.17 |
| 4 | $140.93 | $3,117.14 |
| 5 | $135.95 | $3,122.12 |
Should you claim more or fewer?
Allowances only change how much is withheld during the year. Your actual Kansas tax is settled on your state return. Claim more than you qualify for and you may owe at tax time. Claim fewer and you get the difference back as a refund. If you would rather keep the count simple, most forms also let you ask for an extra dollar amount from each paycheck.
The federal Form W-4 dropped allowances in 2020, so your federal and Kansas forms work differently. See how many allowances to claim and how to fill out a W-4. To see your own numbers, open the Kansas paycheck calculator and set the allowances under the state form step.
Sources
Kansas Department of Revenue, Form K-4 and Kansas Department of Revenue, KW-100 withholding guide. Withholding figures come from the same 2026 formulas the calculator uses; see how we calculate.