A step-by-step guide to help you fill out a W-4 Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez You're about to begin that much-needed new job and your employer hands you an IRS Form W-4 to fill out and submit to ...

Meredith Dietz is Lifehacker’s Senior Staff Writer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Northeastern University, where she graduated as valedictorian of her college.

Employers complete form W-2 annually to report employee earnings and tax withholdings. Employees complete form W-4 when starting a new job to tell employers how much to withhold from their paychecks.

Tax Day is approaching, and soon it will be time to begin assembling forms. If you haven't looked at them yet, all those numbers and letters – W-2, W-9, 1099 – can easily overwhelm you. Some forms are ...