How many allowances should I claim in Minnesota?
On Minnesota's W-4MN, a single filer with no dependents usually claims 2 and a married couple 3, plus one for each dependent. Each allowance takes $5,300 a year off the wages Minnesota withholding is figured on. On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks, one allowance more than that raises each paycheck by about $13.86. Claiming fewer means more withheld now and a bigger refund later.
How to count your allowances on the W-4MN
Section 1 of the W-4MN gives 1 allowance for yourself, 1 if you are single with one job, 1 for your spouse if married, 1 for each dependent, and 1 if you file as head of household. So a single worker with one job normally claims 2 and a married couple with one earner claims 3. Each allowance takes $5,300 a year off the wages withholding is figured on.
There is no head of household box, so head of household filers check Single and add 1 allowance. If your spouse works, you may enter 0 for the spouse line.
If you never file a W-4MN, your employer withholds as if you are single with zero allowances.
Minnesota 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 | Minnesota tax withheld | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $126.05 | $1,801.87 |
| 1 | $112.19 | $1,815.73 |
| 2 | $98.33 | $1,829.59 |
| 3 | $84.47 | $1,843.45 |
| 4 | $70.61 | $1,857.32 |
| 5 | $59.26 | $1,868.66 |
| 6 | $48.36 | $1,879.57 |
Married couple on one $100,000 income, paid every two weeks:
| Allowances | Minnesota tax withheld | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $195.93 | $3,045.22 |
| 1 | $182.07 | $3,059.08 |
| 2 | $168.21 | $3,072.94 |
| 3 | $154.35 | $3,086.81 |
| 4 | $140.49 | $3,100.67 |
| 5 | $126.63 | $3,114.53 |
| 6 | $112.76 | $3,128.39 |
Should you claim more or fewer?
Allowances only change how much is withheld during the year. Your actual Minnesota 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 Minnesota forms work differently. See how many allowances to claim and how to fill out a W-4. To see your own numbers, open the Minnesota paycheck calculator and set the allowances under the state form step.
Sources
Minnesota Department of Revenue, Form W-4MN and Minnesota Department of Revenue, 2026 withholding instructions. Withholding figures come from the same 2026 formulas the calculator uses; see how we calculate.