For most filers, the tax deadline has come and gone — and if your refund or balance due was bigger than expected, it may be smart to adjust paycheck withholdings for 2026.
Typically, workers ask employers for withholding changes via Form W-4, which includes marital status, number of jobs, dependents and other details.
For midyear updates, the form suggests using the IRS tax withholding estimator for the “most accurate” instructions.
The free tool generates a pre-filled W-4 (or W-4P for pension income) after asking about you and your spouse, earnings, adjustments, deductions and credits. But it may not be enough for all filers, experts say.
Enacted in July, President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” added retroactive tax cuts for 2025, including new deductions for tip income, overtime earnings, seniors and auto loan interest, among others.
