When you start a new job, you must fill out a W-4 form telling your employer how much tax to withhold from your paychecks. The number of exemptions you claim affects the withholding amount, but you might get a refund when you file taxes. If you are single and have no dependents, most of the exemptions offered do not apply to you.
Step
Complete the worksheet on the front page of the form if you expect to make more than $950 for the tax year. Enter a "1" for yourself on the first line if you are not someone else's dependent. Enter "1" on the second line if you have only one job; otherwise leave it blank. Skip the rest of the lines except Line H, where you will enter "1" or "2" depending upon whether you entered a value for Line B.
Step
Fill out the bottom part of the form. Give your full legal name, Social Security number and mailing address. Put the number of exemptions on line 5 of the form.
Step
Claim exemption from tax liability if you do not expect to make more than $950 for the tax year and cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else's tax return. Do not fill out the worksheet at the top of the form. Instead, fill out the bottom part of the form, skip line 5 and write "exempt" on line 7.
Step
Sign and date the form. Give it to your employer.
