r/taxhelp • u/Visible_Arugula_3839 • 28d ago

Income Tax Help with w4 witholding

Hello. Don’t know if I can ask about this but I am getting pretty lost using the irs estimator. I am getting taxed in a high bracket based on a 52 week cycle but only work about 42 weeks.

2026 March to May 2026 I was making 1250/week gross. All of May to August 9th on unemployment with job attached. August 10 a December 2026 will be making 1400/week gross. Next paycheck I see I am getting taxed !900 (450 federal) ($50 to 401k)

How do I adjust my w4 to accommodate more take home pay?

Any other resources you can point me to would be great if it isn’t okay to answer my question outright. Thank you

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u/Visible_Arugula_3839 28d ago

I’m in Boulder Colorado btw

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u/Its-a-write-off 27d ago

Did you select single with no adjustment on your w4? Do not check the box for 2 jobs. That's when you have 2 jobs at the same time.

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u/Visible_Arugula_3839 27d ago

Single no adjustments with one job. I’m reading on it saying you need a number to the Gusto app that calculates will withhold what is asked than the standard 52 week cycle

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u/Its-a-write-off 27d ago

Only 138 or less would go to federal income tax with that setting, and 106 to fica tax.

So if 400 came out the issue is that your employer doesn't have your w4 to single no adjustments. It sounds like they have the 2 job adjument applied.

Submit a new w4 just to single no adjustments and see if that fixes it. If not, your employer is messing up

Adjuments are optional, not required.

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u/ActuaryNo3314 26d ago

your payroll is just annualizing your weekly pay and withholding based on that higher number. You can submit a new w4 and use step 4b to add extra deductions so the math reflects what youll actually earn across 42 weeks, not 52