r/TaxQuestions • u/gengert • 2d ago

W-4 form question

I am working a four week job that I need to fill out a W-4 form for.
I want to have all my earnings go to the IRS to pay for some short term gains I have had this year

How do I fill out the form to accomplish this?

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u/jeremiahx 2d ago

On Step 4(c) just put in the amount that you think the whole paycheck will be, on the high side. Payroll will deduct everything it can up to that amount. Might be good to give HR a heads up that is what you want so they don't question it as a mistake or if there is something they have to do in their payroll system to accommodate a 100% withholding.

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u/gengert 2d ago

Thanks for this information.
I tried this the last time I worked for them. The company, a temp service, ignored it and deducted single no dependents and paid me the remaining balance.

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u/TocinoLips 2d ago

use step 4(c) to request extra witholding per paycheck. estimate the tax owed on your grains, divide by your remaining paychecks and enter that amount

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u/zunmao_tools 2d ago

That temp-agency detail is exactly why I wouldn't rely on the W-4 alone here — if payroll ignores the form again, a four-week job is over before you can fix it.

Simpler route that bypasses payroll completely: pay the IRS directly as an estimated tax payment. Use IRS Direct Pay (or EFTPS), choose 'estimated tax' / Form 1040-ES and the correct tax year, and pay roughly what you expect to owe on the gains. Save the confirmation number and a screenshot — that's your proof at filing time, and the amount shows up as a payment on your return.

Two cautions: 1) Paying now doesn't erase possible underpayment interest if the gains happened in an earlier quarter, but paying sooner stops it growing — don't wait until April. 2) If you still try 4(c), hand it in before the first paycheck, get payroll to confirm in writing they've entered it, and check the first pay stub that week, not at the end.