Enter your W-2 wages, current withholding, and a few deductions. We'll estimate whether you're over or under withheld, show the projected gap, and tell you exactly what to put on your W-4 to fix it.
Filing information
2025 federal tax year
Used to calculate per-paycheck adjustment
Person 1 — W-2 income
Annual wages and year-to-date federal withholding from the most recent pay stub
Person 2 — W-2 income (if applicable)
Leave blank for single filers or one-income households. Dual W-2 income is a common cause of under-withholding.
Other income & deductions
Include anything that affects your total tax bill — leave blank if not applicable
Reduces taxable income
2025 standard: $30,000 MFJ / $15,000 single
Dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax owed
2025 withholding snapshot
Est. total federal tax
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Total withheld YTD
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Projected balance
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Safe harbor (90%)
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Tax breakdown
How your estimated 2025 federal tax liability is calculated
Item
Amount
How to adjust your W-4
Takes about 5 minutes — you can submit a new W-4 to your employer at any time
1
Download a new W-4 at irs.gov/w4 or request one from your HR or payroll department. Changes typically take effect within 1–2 pay periods.
2
Go to Step 4(c) — Extra withholding. Enter the flat dollar amount per paycheck shown in the adjustment box above. This is the simplest way to close a gap without recalculating allowances.
3
For dual W-2 households, check the box in Step 2 on the higher earner's W-4. When both spouses work, each employer withholds as if that income fills the lowest brackets — but combined, you're in a higher bracket. Step 2 corrects for this.
4
To reduce over-withholding, use Step 4(b) to claim additional deductions, which lowers the amount withheld each check. More money in your paycheck throughout the year instead of waiting for a refund.
5
Check your next 2–3 pay stubs to confirm the new withholding is reflecting correctly. Re-run this tool near year-end to make sure you'll finish on track.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides federal income tax estimates only and is not tax advice. Results are based on 2025 IRS tax brackets and the standard deduction. State income taxes, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), and certain income-based phase-outs are not modeled. Actual tax liability depends on your complete financial picture and may differ from these estimates. Please review your withholding with your CPA or tax advisor — especially if you have variable income, significant investment gains, or experienced a major life change this year such as a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or job change.
Cadence Wealth Partners, LLC · Concord, NC · Federal estimates only · 2025 tax year