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sarahcpa
Level 2

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I am an accountant / CPA / ProAdvisor and can find nothing on your website or in the community the answer to this question.  It is not a W-4 form question, it is a "how do I enter this to QB" question.

KlentB
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I'm here to shed a light on that, sarahcpa.

 

I've read all your previous posts. In the new W-4 form, we'll have to enter the dollar amount in the Claim Dependent field. You can follow the steps  below in entering the information:

 

  1. Select Employees from the top bar menu.
  2. Choose Employee List.
  3. Select the name of the employee. 
  4. Click Payroll Info, and then select Taxes
  5. On the W-4 Form dropdown, select 2020 and Later.
  6. Make sure your employee complies with the points on the Federal W-4 form popup, and then select OK. 
  7. Enter the employee's W-4 information into the form
  8. Hit OK to save the changes.

I've also listed the different entries that need to be set up for the new employees who are required to fill out the new 2020 Form W-4 but fail to submit:

 

  • Filing Status = Single
  • Multiple Jobs/Spouse Works (2c) = Not Checked
  • Claim Dependent Amount = $0
  • Other Income = $0
  • Deductions = $0
  • Extra Withholding = $0

I encourage you to read this article to stay current with the latest updates of the Federal W-4: What’s changing with the Federal W-4?

 

I'll be right here to help you further sarahcpa. Don't think twice tag me in your comment below if you have further questions about the new W-4 form.

Iris3
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

@Joshua R  To further clarify, now that the number of allowances has been replaced with a certain amount (under Claim Dependents), does this also translate into the more the amount, less money is withheld?

KlentB
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I'm here to clear things out for you, Iris3.

 

Yes, that means the more amount you enter, the less money is withheld. As what my colleague Joshua R have mentioned, instead of calculating the number of allowances that translates into a certain amount of tax withheld, the new form prompts you to enter a dollar amount in the Claim Dependent field.

 

You can follow the steps that I've listed above in entering the information in the new W-4 form. I've also listed the different entries that need to be set up for the new employees who are required to fill out the new form.

 

I encourage you to visit this article to learn more about how the new W-4 form works in QuickBooks: What’s changing with the Federal W-4?

 

Do you have any other questions in mind? Please leave a comment below and I'll make sure to get back to you.

sfvaughan
Level 4

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

When I enter the information directly as done by the employee, no federal withholding is deducted. This is incorrect and will result in a very unpleasant surprise for the employee next year when they do their taxes.
Angelyn_T
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Thank you for joining the thread, @sfvaughan.

 

The Internal Revenue System (IRS) requires employers to withhold federal, social security and medicare taxes from the employees' wages. If paychecks don't calculate federal income taxes, the employees' filing status, wage base, exemptions or allowances may be the reason.

 

You can use the official IRS Employer's Tax Guide to find out how much should be deducted from the employees' paychecks based on their filing status, pay period, and any other deductions. This allows you to possibly determine the cause for a lack of deduction.

 

Also, I encourage updating your payroll tax table version to the latest release to ensure payroll taxes are calculated correctly.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Open your QuickBooks Desktop, then go to the Employees menu.
  2. Select Get Payroll Update from the drop-down.
  3. Choose the Download Entire Update checkbox.
  4. Tap on Update.a4 1.PNG

For additional reference about this action, read these articles:

 

 

I'm also adding this article for additional reference about paycheck calculation in QuickBooks Desktop: Payroll items on paycheck are not calculating or are calculating incorrectly.

 

Get back to me if you have any other questions. I'm a few clicks away to help. Have a good day!

Timp1
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I have auto updates turned on.  Latest release was downloaded today and I do not have the new 2020 W 4 drop down needed for a new employee onboarding.

YvetteVelarde
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

@Timp1 Thanks for joining this thread. This issue was answered previously: Updating your payroll tax table is a good start when it comes to fixing payroll forms related issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Click Employees at the top menu bar.
  2. On the drop-down list, click Get Payroll Updates.

    z.PNG

     

  3. Select Download the entire payroll update and click the Update.

    x.PNG

     

  4. Hit OK.

If you still can't access the form after the update, I'd suggest getting in touch with our QuickBooks Desktop Support. Unlike in this public forum, they have the tools required to perform any escalations in the system whenever necessary on your behalf.

 

  1. Click Help at the top menu bar and choose QuickBooks Desktop Helpz.PNG

     

  2. Enter a brief description of your concern then click Contact us.x.PNG

     

  3. To route you to the correct support expert, we need to know what type of question you have. Give a brief description of your issue and click Continue.
  4. We’ll provide you a few options. You choose which one is best for you.

 

To know more about payroll forms, here are some articles for future use:

 

Please come back to us if you need additional help.

sarahcpa
Level 2

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Thank you, KlentB!

Dianeska
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I have a question. On QB other income, what number is the one I have to enter- The amount the employee put on the Step 2(b) #1 or the number the employee put on the Step 2(b) #4?

 

Michael K
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Happy to help out, @Dianeska.

 

Step 4(a) on Form W-4 is not calculated based on other boxes. This field is for other income the employee receives (not from jobs). I've included the description for this field from the official Form W-4 below.

 

 

You can find the official FAQ page for Form W-4 here: About Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate

 

Just shoot me a reply if you run into any other questions. I'm here to ensure your continued success. Have a great rest of your week!

lahawk81
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I have an employee that wants an additional $125 in taxes withheld and he listed it in line 4c.  Will the amount listed in 4(c) be calculated with the Federal Taxes or do you have to add it to the deductions section in line 5 of the pay setup? 

MirriamM
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Welcome to the thread, @lahawk81.

 

If you have an extra withholding that you want to withheld each pay period, you can enter it in line 4(c). This includes any amounts from the Multiple Jobs Worksheet if this applies to you. 

 

For guidance on how to enter employee's W-4, you can check this article: What’s changing with the Federal W-4?

 

You can also visit this IRS website to know more about the 2020 Form W-4: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-on-the-2020-form-w-4.

 

If you have any other questions, let me know by commenting below. Have a great day!

lahawk81
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Thank you, I was looking for a separate line on the paystub which identified the Extra Withholding.  It must be included in the total Federal Withholding, correct?

MirriamM
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Hello again, @lahawk81. Yes, you're correct.

 

If you're using QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, you can add an extra withholding on an employee's paycheck. Here's how:

  1. Go to the Employees menu.
  2. Pick Employee Center.
  3. Double-click the employee's name.
  4. Hiit the Payroll Info tab.
  5. Click Taxes.
  6. In the Extra Withholding field, enter the additional withholding amount.
  7. Click OK in the Taxes for employee's name window.
  8. Press OK again.

The extra withholding amount will add to the existing Federal Withholding item. You can run the Payroll Detail Review report to check the amounts per employee.

 

On the other hand, if you're using QuickBooks Online Payroll, here's how you can add a deduction:

  1. From the left menu, click Workers and go to the Employees tab.
  2. Click the name of the Employee.
  3. Go to the Pay section and click the pencil icon.
  4. Choose question # 4 and click on Add a new deduction link.
  5. Enter all the appropriate information.
  6. Click OK on the bottom right hand.

For more information about the process I've provided above, you can check below articles:

If you need anything else concerning payroll, you can always get back to me. I am more than happy to help. Take care. 

lahawk81
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

But I need to know if Line 4c, when an amount is added here on the W4, is included in the total Federal Tax amount deducted or if I need to add it somewhere else to make sure it is taken out of his paycheck.  In other words, I have added the $125 on the W4 Line c, but it does not show up anywhere on his paystub.  Is it included in the federal tax total that is deducted from his gross wages or do I need to add the deduction to have it removed in Section 5 of  the pay setup similar to having retirement withholding?

Ashley H
QuickBooks Team

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Thanks for the response back, @lahawk81.

 

I recommend reaching out to your accountant for advice on how this information needs to be entered. 

 

You should enter any Extra Withholding on Line 4c on the W-4. If this doesn't work for you, then you can follow my colleague's @MirriamM steps on how to make the deductions on your paychecks. If the issue persists, try updating your Payroll, then update the W-4 again and view the Employee's Pay.

 

Let me know how this goes for you. I'll be here if you need further assistance.

lahawk81
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Thanks!

mbutler
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I am running QB Premier Edition 2019 and have recently processed all necessary updates. Unfortunately, I am not seeing anything different in regards to tax setup when I attempt to setup a new employee. It's still asking for the number of allowances versus the $ for "Claim Dependents" on the 2020 W-4 form. What am I missing?

 

 

RaymondJayO
Moderator

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I'm here to ensure you'll get the right support in entering the 2020 Form W-4 information for your new employee, @mbutler

 

You're on the right track in downloading all the necessary updates, so there's no information you're missing. I'd suggest contacting our Customer Care Team since the system is still asking for the number of allowances instead of the $ amount in the Claim Dependents field. They can securely access your account and determine the root cause of this issue. They can also help you fix this so you'll be able to enter the employee's 2020 Form W-4 information. Please check out our support hours before getting in touch with them. Here's how. 

  1. Go to Help from the top menu.
  2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
  3. Click Contact Us. 
  4. Enter The program is still asking for the number of allowances instead of the $ amount in the Claim Dependents field on the 2020 W-4 form​​​​​​​ in the Ask a question (or tell us what's wrong) box. 
  5. Hit Continue. 
  6. Choose an option to connect with a live support agent. 

 

For detailed instructions, see this article: Contact Support Team.

 

Once fixed, I recommend visiting this website: IRS Guide. This link provides you answers about the general, employee, employer FAQs on the 2020 Form W-4. 

 

I'm just a post away if there's anything else you need. Have a great rest of your day, @mbutler​​​​​​​. 

julie561
Level 2

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Did you find an answer to this problem?  I am also having this issue.  I entered the dollar amount of $4000 for 2 dependents and it is not withholding any federal.  All updates are current.  It seems several are asking this question but  not getting a helpful answer.

julie561
Level 2

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Did you find the answer for this problem?  I am having the same problem...I entered the $4000 for  having 2 dependents and no federal is withheld....I am certain this is incorrect.

Roxfer83
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

I am having the same problem. Did you get an answer? 

Roxfer83
Level 1

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Hi I am having the same issue. No taxes are being withheld. Did you find a solution? 

Ashley H
QuickBooks Team

How do you input the new W4 for 2020 information for the employees?

Thanks for joining this thread, @Roxfer83.

 

For the best assistance, I recommend reaching out to our Desktop Support. This is because they have the tools to get on a screen share with you and look further into this behavior. Rest assured, they can help you look into the Employee's Profile, as well as reviewing your Payroll to make sure everything is set up properly. Here's how to get in touch:

  1. Open QuickBooks.
  2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
  3. Choose Contact Us.
  4. Type in your question or concern then hit Continue.
  5. Pick Start Messaging.

You'll hear from an agent shortly. Please let me know how the conversation goes.

 

I'll be here if you have any other questions or concerns. Have a great day!

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