Skip to main content

W-4 information for 2020

Update | Monday, January 13, 2020

The 2020 Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, is very different from previous versions. This is due to the federal tax law changes that took place in 2018. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is not requiring all employees to complete the revised form. It has designed the withholding tables, so they will work with both the new and prior-year forms. However, employees hired in 2020, and anyone who makes withholding changes during 2020 will be required to use the new form.

Even though the IRS does not require all employees to complete the revised form – and even if your tax situation has not changed – we still recommend a “paycheck checkup” to see if you need to make adjustments to your current withholding. To conduct the checkup, you can use the IRS’s Tax Withholding Estimator at www.irs.gov/W4App. To get an accurate estimate, it is helpful to have a copy of your most recent pay stub and tax return. The estimator will likely be updated to account for the 2020 tax tables in early January. Please note: if you do not submit a new form, withholding will continue based on your previously submitted form.

Before completing the 2020 Form W-4, please read the instructions that are included with the form. You must complete Steps 1 and 5. Steps 2, 3, and 4 are optional, but completing them will help ensure that your federal income tax withholding will more accurately match your tax liability. Step 1 is for your personal information. Step 2 is for households with multiple jobs. Step 3 is used to claim tax credits for dependents. Step 4 is for other adjustments (additional income such as interest and dividends, itemized deductions that exceed the standard deduction, and extra tax you want withheld). Lastly, Step 5 is where you sign the form.

The IRS takes your privacy seriously if you are worried about reporting income from multiple jobs in Step 2 or other income in Step 4(a), the IRS suggests that you check the box in Step 2(c) or enter an additional withholding amount in Step 4(c). To determine the additional withholding amount, you can use the withholding estimator.

The IRS has published Frequently Asked Questions that you may find helpful as you complete the form at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-on-the-draft-2020-form-w-4.

 

Go to 2020 Update Archive Go to Employee Update

 

Latest Update Stories


  • Holiday well-being during COVID-19

    December 21, 2020 6:00pm

    For many people, holidays mean good cheer, shopping and family gatherings. For others, the holidays can be tough. And this year, COVID-19 concerns may make the holidays challenging for all. Even if you're feeling lonely or sad, you can still make special moments with these suggestions.

    news-employee

  • Important payroll information

    December 21, 2020 4:10pm

    The College will provide all qualified regular part-time employees with 20 hours of paid time off during the winter holiday break.

    news-employee

  • IT training sessions for Microsoft Teams breakout rooms

    December 18, 2020 8:39pm

    The Information Technology (IT) division is offering training for employees who want to learn more about the new breakout rooms feature in Microsoft Teams.

    news-employee

  • Blackboard workshops offered during break and Spring Semester

    December 18, 2020 6:30pm

    Digital Education and Instructional Services (DEIS) has scheduled new workshops which will be held ahead of Spring Semester.

    news-employee

  • Pay rates increasing for student employees

    December 18, 2020 2:06pm

    Student employment at Columbus State is a transformational, holistic experience. College student employees complete more credit hours, have higher GPA's, and complete their programs of study at a higher rate than our general student population.

    news-employee

  • Teams breakout rooms now available

    December 15, 2020 11:53am

    Microsoft has made breakout rooms available in Teams meetings. The new service began this week.

    news-employee

  • New accommodation request form, new videos from Disability Services

    December 15, 2020 11:45am

    Disability Services would like the campus community to know about additions to its website.

    news-employee

  • Leeman paintings featured in two exhibitions

    December 14, 2020 5:41pm

    Stacy Leeman, an adjunct Humanities professor, has three of her paintings featured in two upcoming exhibitions in early 2021.

    news-employee

  • Staff Employee of the Month

    December 8, 2020 12:07pm

    Nine people signed their name to the nomination form for the latest Staff Employee of the Month.

    news-employee

  • No staff December 2020 Performance Review; new streamlined review

    December 8, 2020 12:04pm

    The challenges of 2020 have complicated the tasks of managing work. This has impacted collaboration and service to students, fellow employees, and other customers, whether we are working remotely or as part of essential staff located on campus.

    news-employee

  • Society of the Compass: call for nominations

    December 8, 2020 11:59am

    We all know a well-deserving student who combines scholarship, leadership, and service. You can assist the Society of the Compass Committee nominating these students for the prestigious Society of the Compass award.

    news-employee

  • Remind student writers to check out Et al

    December 8, 2020 11:54am

    The English Department is now seeking student submissions for the fall 2021 issue of Et al. - the English Department's online journal of excellence in student writing.

    news-employee