TingoTaxDid your pay change? Check your withholding
Gather your paystubs and check whether your federal withholding needs an adjustment.
Who should review their withholding
If you work as an employee and receive a W-2, review how much federal income tax comes out of each paycheck. A raise, second job or family change may mean your withholding needs an adjustment. This guide helps you prepare to review your 2026 payments; it does not announce a new requirement or a deadline for everyone.
Gather your records first
Have recent paystubs from every job ready. If you expect to file jointly, include your spouse’s paystubs too. Depending on other income and deductions, you may need your latest return and additional records. Set aside time to compare your information: missing figures can change the estimate.
Use the right tool
The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator helps employees and people with pensions or annuities subject to withholding estimate federal withholding. It is not intended for nonresidents for tax purposes; they should consult the IRS’s special instructions. This federal calculation is also separate from a review of state taxes.
The result does not change payroll automatically
If you decide to adjust withholding, give your employer the appropriate Form W-4 following the tool’s instructions. Check a later paystub to confirm the change. The goal is to align your payments with your circumstances, not to guarantee a refund or automatically increase your income.
Plan your next review
The IRS recommends checking withholding in January and after major changes. If you adjust during the year, another update in late December may be needed for the following year. Published October 16, 2026. Consult the linked official sources and seek guidance for complex circumstances. Follow @tingotax to understand your taxes step by step. TingoTax is independent of the IRS.