The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a draft of the updated W-4 form scheduled to be released in 2020. The revised form implements changes based on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which resulted in significant changes to taxpayer withholding.
What’s Changing?
The new Form W-4 eliminates collection of some information, but requires new information that taxpayers have never before had to provide. According to the IRS, the goal of the new form is to simplify the tax filing process and reduce overpayments and underpayments by taxpayers.
Despite the IRS’ attempt to simplify the filing process, some have noted that the new Form W-4 looks more like a Form 1040. That is because the new form will require input such as non-wage income (think interest and dividends), income tax credits expected for the tax year, itemization, and deductions. Further, employees with multiple jobs will be required to report total annual taxable wages for all lower paying jobs in the household.
One feature that you’ll find missing from the new form is withholding allowances. These allowances were previously tied directly to personal exemption amounts. However, personal exemptions no longer play a large role in the new tax code.
What Action Should Be Taken by Taxpayers?
- Continue using the current tax form for 2019.
- Once the new form is released, taxpayers may choose to submit an updated W-4 in 2020 or continue using their most recently-submitted form.
- Use the IRS Paycheck Checkup tool to determine if the right amount of tax is currently being withheld from paychecks.
What Action Should Be Taken by Employers?
- Continue using previously-submitted forms for current employees.
- Distribute the current form for anyone hired during the remainder of 2019.
- Inform employees of impending changes to the form and encourage them to research how the updated form may impact them.
A final version of the Form W-4 is scheduled to be released in November 2019. For more information about upcoming changes to the Form W-4, visit irs.gov.