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Federal Tax (W-4)

The Federal Tax (W-4) option allows users to view their current Federal tax data, establish a new Federal income tax withholding, make changes to their existing Federal income tax withholding data, or claim total exemption from Federal tax withholding.

The following changes may be made to existing Federal income tax withholding data:

  • Change the number of exemptions.
  • Change the filing status.
  • Establish, increase, or decrease the amount of additional withholding.
  • File exemption from paying Federal tax.

Note: If there was no Federal tax owed in the previous tax year and it is expected that no Federal tax will be owed for the current year, total exemption from Federal tax may be claimed. However, a total exemption from Federal tax must be filed after February 15 of each year. If the duty station is located in the Republic of Panama, Virgin Islands, Guam, or the northern Mariana Islands, then exemption from Federal income tax may apply.    

If 11 or more exemptions are claimed, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be notified and the user will be placed under IRS control. Once under IRS control, EPP cannot be utilized to increase the number of exemptions. To increase the number of exemptions, the Federal Tax Certificate (W-4) must be submitted to NFC. Users may also use this option to decrease the number of exemptions. Users may contact their servicing personnel or payroll office for additional information.  

If wages exceed $200 per week and total exemption from Federal tax withholding is claimed, the IRS is notified.

Entering and Modifying a W-4

This topic has been updated to modify the (a) Multiply the number of qualifying children under age 17 by $2000 field to display as (a) Multiply the number of qualifying children under age 17 by $2200 on the Enter Federal Tax (W-4) Self Service Request page.

Users may enter and/or modify their W-4 information in EPP. The filing status, number of exemptions, and additional deductions may all be entered/modified. Self-Service transactions that have been entered are also displayed on this page, if applicable.

  1. To enter/modify W-4 information, select Federal Tax (W-4) from the Personal Info menu. The Federal Tax Certificate (W-4) page is displayed. The user’s existing Federal tax data (if any) that is stored in the Payroll/Personnel System as of the last effective pay period is displayed.

EPP Federal Tax Certificate (W-4) Page

Figure 73: Federal Tax Certificate (W-4) Page

  1. Select the Self-Service button. The Enter Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request page is displayed.

Note: The Self-Service option is only available if your Agency has elected to use this function of EPP. Please contact your personnel office with any questions.

Enter Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request 

Figure 74: Enter Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request Page

  1. Complete the fields as follows:

Filing Status Field Instruction 

Multiple Jobs or Spouse Works Field Instruction 

Claim Dependent and Other Credits

Other Adjustments Field Instruction

Effective Pay Period, Year, Field Instruction 

  1. Select the Continue button. The Submit Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request page is displayed.

EPP Submit Federal Tax W 4 Self Service Request Page

Figure 75: Submit Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request Page

  1. Verify that the information displayed is correct.
  2. Select the Submit button to submit the Federal Tax (W-4) request. The Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request Confirmation page is displayed.

Note: Select the Back button to return to the Enter Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request page to make any corrections.

EPP Federal Tax W4 Self Service Request Confirmation Page

Figure 76: Federal Tax (W-4) Self-Service Request Confirmation Page

  1. Select the Exit Self-Service button to return to the Federal Tax Certificate (W-4) page.