If you claim exemption, you will have no income tax withheld from your paycheck and may owe taxes and penalties when you file your 2025 tax return. To claim exemption from withholding, certify that you meet both of the conditions above by writing “Exempt” on Form W-4 in the space below Step 4(c).
To change your tax withholding you should: Complete a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, and submit it to your employer.
Don't mark exempt ever on a W-4... even if you qualify this year you will forget to change it next year and you can get in extreme trouble in the future. If you file Single with one allowance this year, at your income level, little or no withholding will be taken and if it is then you can file a return to get it back.
To claim exempt, write EXEMPT under line 4c. You may claim EXEMPT from withholding if: o Last year you had a right to a full refund of All federal tax income and o This year you expect a full refund of ALL federal income tax. NOTE: if you claim EXEMPT you must complete a new W-4 annually in February.
Note: The W-4 form 2024 steps are the same as the W-4 form 2025 steps. Step 1: Enter your personal information. Step 2: Account for all jobs you and your spouse have. Step 3: Claim your children and other dependents. Step 4: Make other adjustments. Step 5: Sign and date your form.