How to Fill Out New York’s Form IT-2104
Complete New York's Form IT-2104 correctly to ensure your tax withholding is accurate. This guide helps align your paycheck with your financial situation.
Form IT-2104, the Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, is a New York State tax document that employees provide to their employers. Its purpose is to determine the correct amount of state and local income tax to be withheld from each paycheck. This form is completed when starting a new job or when significant life events alter your financial situation, such as marriage, the birth of a child, or a change in residency.
Information and Worksheets Needed to Complete Form IT-2104
Before filling out the form, you must complete the worksheet found in the instructions, Form IT-2104-I. Both documents are available on the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website. You will need your most recent pay stub and, if filing jointly, your spouse’s income details.
The worksheet guides you in calculating allowances for yourself, your spouse, and dependents. It includes sections to adjust your allowances based on itemized deductions and various tax credits you expect to claim. The worksheet also helps determine if you need additional tax withheld to cover other income sources, like pensions or dividends, or to adjust for having multiple jobs.
Line-by-Line Instructions for Filling Out Form IT-2104
After completing the worksheet, you will transfer the calculated figures to Form IT-2104. The top of the form requires your personal information, including your full name, Social Security number, and home address. You must also indicate your filing status by selecting either “Single or Head of household” or “Married.”
Part 1 is where you enter the total allowances calculated from the worksheet. On line 1, input the total number of allowances you are claiming for New York State and, if applicable, for Yonkers.
New York City residents must also complete line 2. This line is for the total number of allowances for New York City withholding, as calculated on your worksheet.
Part 2 allows for additional withholding amounts per pay period. If your worksheet indicated you should have more tax withheld to cover other income or avoid an underpayment penalty, enter those amounts here. Line 3 is for New York State, line 4 is for New York City, and line 5 is for Yonkers.
The final section requires you to certify your residency status for New York City and Yonkers. The form concludes with your signature and the date, certifying the information is accurate. A penalty of $500 may be imposed for any false statement that decreases the amount of tax withheld.
Submitting the Completed Form
Submit the completed and signed Form IT-2104 directly to your employer, not the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Your employer is responsible for retaining the form and adjusting your withholding. The only exception is if you claim more than 14 allowances, in which case your employer must send a copy to the state for review.
The changes to your tax withholding should take effect within one or two pay periods. It is a good practice to review your first pay stub after the change to confirm that the adjustments have been made correctly.
You can and should submit a new Form IT-2104 to your employer at any time during the year if your circumstances change. Events such as getting a second job, your spouse’s employment status changing, or having a child can all impact your tax liability, making it necessary to update your withholding.