Fill and sign Form W-4 online
Tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay (2026 edition).
Form W-4 at a glance
- Official name
- Employee's Withholding Certificate
- Issued by
- IRS
- Country
- United States
- Category
- Employment and payroll
- Language
- English
- Who uses it
- Every new US employee, and any employee who wants to change their withholding.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
Not stated on the IRS form page. Employers often run their own electronic W-4 systems, so ask your employer how they want to receive it.
- Instructions
- Official IRS page
Form W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to take out of each paycheck. You fill it in when you start a new job, and again whenever you want to change your withholding. Open the 2026 W-4 from irs.gov in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page, type into its fillable fields, add your signature and date in Step 5, and download it. The file is processed in your browser and never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign Form W-4
Step 1: personal information (required)
Enter your name, address and Social Security number, and tick your filing status: single or married filing separately, married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse, or head of household.
Step 2: multiple jobs or spouse works (only if it applies)
If you have more than one job at a time, or you are married filing jointly and your spouse also works, use one of the three options on the form: the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator, the Multiple Jobs Worksheet, or the checkbox for two jobs with similar pay.
Step 3: dependents and other credits (only if it applies)
Follow the form's instructions to work out the amounts for qualifying children and other dependents, add any other credits, and enter the total.
Step 4: other adjustments (optional)
Enter other income not from jobs (4a), deductions from the Deductions Worksheet (4b), and any extra tax you want withheld each pay period (4c).
Step 5: sign and date, then give it to your employer
The form is not valid unless you sign it. Add your signature and the date, download the PDF and give it to your employer. Do not send it to the IRS.
What you need before you start
- Your Social Security number and filing status.
- If you have several jobs or a working spouse, recent pay stubs help you get the multiple-jobs adjustment right. The IRS recommends its online Tax Withholding Estimator for more accurate results.
- The current form from irs.gov. The 2026 edition is the current one.
Can I sign a W-4 electronically?
The IRS form page doesn't say either way. Many employers use their own payroll or HR system to collect W-4s electronically, while others accept a signed PDF. Check with your employer before you send it. You can learn more about electronic signatures and when they are legally valid.
Claiming exemption from withholding
According to the 2026 form, you can claim exemption only if you had no federal income tax liability in 2025 and expect none in 2026. To claim it, check the exempt box and complete only Steps 1(a), 1(b) and 5. The exemption does not carry over: the 2026 form says you will need to submit a new Form W-4 by February 16, 2027 to keep it.
Form W-4: frequently asked questions
Who needs to fill out a W-4?
Every new employee in the US, so the employer knows how much federal income tax to withhold. You can also give your employer a new W-4 at any time to change your withholding.
Do I send my W-4 to the IRS?
No. The form itself says to give it to your employer. Your employer keeps it and uses it to calculate withholding.
Which steps of the W-4 are required?
Step 1 (personal information) and Step 5 (signature) are required. Steps 2, 3 and 4 only apply if they fit your situation.
Can I sign a W-4 electronically?
The IRS form page doesn't say. Many employers collect W-4s through their own electronic system; others accept a signed PDF. Ask your employer what they accept.
Is the W-4 valid without a signature?
No. The 2026 form states that it is not valid unless you sign it.
Is BunnyDoc affiliated with the IRS?
No. BunnyDoc is an independent tool. We link to the official W-4 on irs.gov so you always get the current edition.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with IRS. Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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