Do I Need to Update My W2 After Marriage?
Getting married changes your tax obligations. Learn how to update your Form W-4 to ensure the right amount of tax is withheld from each paycheck.
After getting married, you need to adjust your payroll taxes. You do not update your Form W-2, the wage statement you receive after the year ends. Instead, you must submit a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, to your employer. Marriage alters your tax situation, so you must review and adjust your withholdings to match your new financial circumstances.
Why Marriage Changes Your Tax Withholding
Your marital status on December 31 determines your filing status for the entire year. After marriage, you can no longer file as Single; your new options are Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. This change affects your taxes because the brackets and standard deduction amounts differ between statuses. The standard deduction for those married filing jointly is double that of a single filer, which can lower your taxable income.
Combining two incomes can also push your household into a higher tax bracket. If both spouses work, continuing with your previous W-4 settings could lead to under-withholding, as each employer only considers one income, not the combined total. This can result in a large, unexpected tax bill when you file your annual return.
Adjusting your withholding properly can prevent a tax bill and may even increase your take-home pay. The goal is to have the tax withheld from your paychecks match your annual tax liability as closely as possible. Updating your Form W-4 ensures your withholding accurately reflects your new joint financial situation.
Information Needed to Update Your W-4
To complete a new Form W-4, you and your spouse should gather your most recent pay stubs to see year-to-date earnings and federal tax withheld. You also need information on any non-wage income, such as earnings from freelance work, interest, or dividends, as this affects your total income.
If you plan to claim deductions other than the standard deduction, you will need estimates for those amounts. This includes deductions for student loan interest, contributions to a deductible IRA, or other adjustments to income. Having these figures ready will help you complete the form’s deductions worksheet for a more precise calculation.
If you changed your name, you must update it with the Social Security Administration (SSA) before filing a new W-4. File Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, with the SSA. The name on your tax forms must match SSA records to avoid processing delays. Only provide your employer with a new W-4 after the SSA has processed your name change.
How to Complete and Submit Form W-4
The Form W-4 is divided into five steps, though not all may apply to you. Step 1 requires your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, address, and your chosen filing status of Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately.
Step 2 is for households where both spouses work or someone has multiple jobs, ensuring enough tax is withheld from the combined income. You have three options: use the IRS’s online Tax Withholding Estimator, use the form’s Multiple Jobs Worksheet, or check a box if you and your spouse have two jobs with similar pay. If you check the box, your spouse must do the same on their W-4.
In Step 3, you claim dependents by multiplying qualifying children under 17 by $2,000 and other dependents by $500. Step 4 is for other adjustments, such as other income, deductions beyond the standard deduction, or requesting extra tax to be withheld.
After completing the form, sign and submit it to your employer’s payroll department. They will use it to adjust the federal income tax withheld from your future paychecks. It is best to provide your employer with a new Form W-4 within 10 days of marrying to ensure withholdings are corrected promptly.