Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Publication 15
Cat. No. 10000W
(Circular E),
Employer's
Tax Guide
For use in 2017
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Contents
What's New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1. Employer Identification Number (EIN) . . . . . . . 10
2. Who Are Employees? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3. Family Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4. Employee's Social Security Number (SSN) . . . 13
5. Wages and Other Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6. Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7. Supplemental Wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
8. Payroll Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9. Withholding From Employees' Wages . . . . . . . 20
10. Required Notice to Employees About the
Earned Income Credit (EIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
11. Depositing Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
12. Filing Form 941 or Form 944 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
13. Reporting Adjustments to Form 941 or
Form 944 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
14. Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax . . . . . . . . 35
15. Special Rules for Various Types of
Services and Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
16. Third Party Payer Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . 42
17. How To Use the Income Tax Withholding
Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
How To Get Tax Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Future Developments
For the latest information about developments related to
Pub. 15, such as legislation enacted after it was
published, go to IRS.gov/pub15.
What's New
Social security and Medicare tax for 2017. The social
security tax rate is 6.2% each for the employee and em-
ployer, unchanged from 2016. The social security wage
base limit is $127,200.
Dec 19, 2016
The Medicare tax rate is 1.45% each for the employee
and employer, unchanged from 2016. There is no wage
base limit for Medicare tax.
Social security and Medicare taxes apply to the wages
of household workers you pay $2,000 or more in cash wa-
ges for 2017. Social security and Medicare taxes apply to
election workers who are paid $1,800 or more in cash or
an equivalent form of compensation in 2017.
2017 withholding tables. This publication includes the
2017 Percentage Method Tables and Wage Bracket Ta-
bles for Income Tax Withholding.
Withholding allowance. The 2017 amount for one with-
holding allowance on an annual basis is $4,050.
Qualified small business payroll tax credit for in
creasing research activities. For tax years beginning
after December 31, 2015, a qualified small business may
elect to claim up to $250,000 of its credit for increasing re-
search activities as a payroll tax credit against the em-
ployer’s share of social security tax. The portion of the
credit used against the employer’s share of social security
tax is allowed in the first calendar quarter beginning after
the date that the qualified small business filed its income
tax return. The election and determination of the credit
amount that will be used against the employer's share of
social security tax is made on Form 6765, Credit for In-
creasing Research Activities. The amount from Form
6765, line 44, must then be reported on Form 8974, Quali-
fied Small Business Payroll Tax Credit for Increasing Re-
search Activities. Form 8974 is used to determine the
amount of the credit that can be used in the current quar-
ter. The amount from Form 8974, line 12, is reported on
Form 941 or 941-SS, line 11.
New certification program for professional employer
organizations. The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014
required the IRS to establish a voluntary certification pro-
gram for professional employer organizations (PEOs).
PEOs handle various payroll administration and tax re-
porting responsibilities for their business clients and are
typically paid a fee based on payroll costs. To become
and remain certified under the certification program, certi-
fied professional employer organizations (CPEOs) must
meet tax status, background, experience, business loca-
tion, financial reporting, bonding, and other requirements
described in sections 3511 and 7705 and related pub-
lished guidance. The IRS began accepting applications
for PEO certification in July 2016. Certification as a CPEO
affects the employment tax liabilities of both the CPEO
and its customers. A CPEO is generally treated as the em-
ployer of any individual performing services for a cus-
tomer of the CPEO and covered by a contract described
in section 7705(e)(2) between the CPEO and the cus-
tomer (CPEO contract), but only for wages and other com-
pensation paid to the individual by the CPEO. For more in-
formation, visit IRS.gov and enter “CPEO” in the search
box.
Leavebased donation programs to aid victims of the
severe storms and flooding in Louisiana. Under these
programs, employees may donate their vacation, sick, or
personal leave in exchange for employer cash payments
made before January 1, 2018, to qualified tax-exempt
organizations providing relief for the victims of the severe
storms and flooding in Louisiana that began on August 11,
2016. The donated leave won't be included in the income
or wages of the employee. The employer may deduct the
cash payments as business expenses or charitable contri-
butions. For more information, see Notice 2016-55,
2016-40 I.R.B. 432, available at IRS.gov/irb/2016-40_IRB/
ar08.html.
Leavebased donation programs to aid victims of
Hurricane Matthew. Under these programs, employees
may donate their vacation, sick, or personal leave in ex-
change for employer cash payments made before Janu-
ary 1, 2018, to qualified tax-exempt organizations provid-
ing relief for the victims of Hurricane Matthew. The
donated leave won't be included in the income or wages
of the employee. The employer may deduct the cash pay-
ments as business expenses or charitable contributions.
For more information, see Notice 2016-69, 2016-51 I.R.B.
832, available at IRS.gov/irb/2016-51_IRB/ar11.html.
Reminders
Work opportunity tax credit for qualified taxexempt
organizations hiring qualified veterans. The work op-
portunity tax credit is available for eligible unemployed
veterans who begin work on or after November 22, 2011,
and before January 1, 2020. Qualified tax-exempt organi-
zations that hire eligible unemployed veterans can claim
the work opportunity tax credit against their payroll tax lia-
bility using Form 5884-C. For more information, visit
IRS.gov and enter “work opportunity tax credit” in the
search box.
COBRA premium assistance credit. Effective for tax
periods beginning after December 31, 2013, the credit for
COBRA premium assistance payments can't be claimed
on Form 941, Employer's QUARTERLY Federal Tax Re-
turn (or Form 944, Employer's ANNUAL Federal Tax Re-
turn). Instead, after filing your Form 941 (or Form 944), file
Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer's QUARTERLY Federal
Tax Return or Claim for Refund (or Form 944-X, Adjusted
Employer's ANNUAL Federal Tax Return or Claim for Re-
fund), respectively, to claim the COBRA premium assis-
tance credit. Filing a Form 941-X (or Form 944-X) before
filing a Form 941 (or Form 944) for the return period may
result in errors or delays in processing your Form 941-X
(or Form 944-X). For more information, see the Instruc-
tions for Form 941 (or the Instructions for Form 944), or
visit IRS.gov and enter “COBRA” in the search box.
Medicaid waiver payments. Notice 2014-7 provides
that certain Medicaid waiver payments are excludable
from income for federal income tax purposes. See Notice
2014-7, 2014-4 I.R.B. 445, available at IRS.gov/irb/
2014-4_IRB/ar06.html. For more information, including
questions and answers related to Notice 2014-7, visit
IRS.gov and enter “Medicaid waiver payments” in the
search box.
No federal income tax withholding on disability pay
ments for injuries incurred as a direct result of a ter
rorist attack directed against the United States.
Page 2 Publication 15 (2017)
Disability payments for injuries incurred as a direct result
of a terrorist attack directed against the United States (or
its allies) aren't included in income. Because federal in-
come tax withholding is only required when a payment is
includable in income, no federal income tax should be
withheld from these payments.
Voluntary withholding on dividends and other distri
butions by an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC). A
shareholder of an ANC may request voluntary income tax
withholding on dividends and other distributions paid by
an ANC. A shareholder may request voluntary withholding
by giving the ANC a completed Form W-4V. For more in-
formation see Notice 2013-77, 2013-50 I.R.B. 632, availa-
ble at IRS.gov/irb/2013-50_IRB/ar10.html.
Samesex marriage. A marriage of two individuals is
recognized for federal tax purposes if the marriage is rec-
ognized by the state, possession, or territory of the United
States in which the marriage is entered into, regardless of
legal residence. Two individuals who enter into a relation-
ship that is denominated as marriage under the laws of a
foreign jurisdiction are recognized as married for federal
tax purposes if the relationship would be recognized as
marriage under the laws of at least one state, possession,
or territory of the United States, regardless of legal resi-
dence. Individuals who have entered into a registered do-
mestic partnership, civil union, or other similar relationship
that isn't denominated as a marriage under the law of the
state, possession, or territory of the United States where
such relationship was entered into aren't recognized as
married for federal tax purposes, regardless of legal resi-
dence.
Notice 2013-61 provides special administrative proce-
dures for employers to make claims for refunds or adjust-
ments of overpayments of social security and Medicare
taxes with respect to certain same-sex spouse benefits
before expiration of the period of limitations. Notice
2013-61, 2013-44 I.R.B. 432, is available at IRS.gov/irb/
2013-44_IRB/ar10.html. You may correct errors to federal
income tax withholding and Additional Medicare Tax with-
held for prior years if the amount reported on your employ-
ment tax return doesn't agree with the amount you ac-
tually withheld. This type of error is an administrative error.
You may also correct errors to federal income tax with-
holding and Additional Medicare Tax withheld for prior
years if section 3509 rates apply.
Outsourcing payroll duties. Unless the wages and
other compensation paid to the individual performing serv-
ices for you are paid by a CPEO and are covered by a
contract described in section 7705(e)(2) between you and
a CPEO (CPEO contract), you’re responsible to ensure
that tax returns are filed and deposits and payments are
made, even if you contract with a third party to perform
these acts. You remain responsible if the third party fails
to perform any required action. If you choose to outsource
any of your payroll and related tax duties (that is, withhold-
ing, reporting, and paying over social security, Medicare,
FUTA, and income taxes) to a third-party payer, such as a
payroll service provider (PSP) or reporting agent, visit
IRS.gov and enter “outsourcing payroll duties” in the
search box for helpful information on this topic. For more
information on the different types of third party payer ar-
rangements, see section 16.
Severance payments are subject to social security
and Medicare taxes, income tax withholding, and
FUTA tax. Severance payments are wages subject to
social security and Medicare taxes. As noted in section
15, severance payments are also subject to income tax
withholding and FUTA tax.
You must receive written notice from the IRS to file
Form 944. If you’ve been filing Forms 941 (or Forms
941-SS, Employer's QUARTERLY Federal Tax Re-
turn—American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or
Formularios 941-PR, Planilla para la Declaración Federal
TRIMESTRAL del Patrono), and believe your employment
taxes for the calendar year will be $1,000 or less, and you
would like to file Form 944 instead of Forms 941, you must
contact the IRS during the first calendar quarter of the tax
year to request to file Form 944. You must receive written
notice from the IRS to file Form 944 instead of Forms 941
before you may file this form. For more information on re-
questing to file Form 944, including the methods and
deadlines for making a request, see the Instructions for
Form 944.
Employers can request to file Forms 941 instead of
Form 944. If you received notice from the IRS to file
Form 944 but would like to file Forms 941 instead, you
must contact the IRS during the first calendar quarter of
the tax year to request to file Forms 941. You must receive
written notice from the IRS to file Forms 941 instead of
Form 944 before you may file these forms. For more infor-
mation on requesting to file Forms 941, including the
methods and deadlines for making a request, see the In-
structions for Form 944.
Federal tax deposits must be made by electronic
funds transfer (EFT). You must use EFT to make all
federal tax deposits. Generally, an EFT is made using the
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). If you
don't want to use EFTPS, you can arrange for your tax
professional, financial institution, payroll service, or other
trusted third party to make electronic deposits on your be-
half. Also, you may arrange for your financial institution to
initiate a same-day wire payment on your behalf. EFTPS
is a free service provided by the Department of Treasury.
Services provided by your tax professional, financial insti-
tution, payroll service, or other third party may have a fee.
For more information on making federal tax deposits,
see How To Deposit in section 11. To get more informa-
tion about EFTPS or to enroll in EFTPS, visit eftps.gov, or
call 1-800-555-4477 or 1-800-733-4829 (TDD). Additional
information about EFTPS is also available in Pub. 966.
Aggregate Form 941 filers. Agents and CPEOs must
complete Schedule R (Form 941), Allocation Schedule for
Aggregate Form 941 Filers, when filing an aggregate
Form 941. Aggregate Forms 941 are filed by agents ap-
proved by the IRS under section 3504 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code (IRC). To request approval to act as an agent
for an employer, the agent files Form 2678 with the IRS.
Aggregate Forms 941 are also filed by CPEOs approved
by the IRS under section 7705. CPEOs file Form 8973,
Publication 15 (2017) Page 3
Certified Professional Employer Organization/Customer
Reporting Agreement, to notify the IRS that they’ve star-
ted or ended a service contract with a client or customer.
Aggregate Form 940 filers. Agents must complete
Schedule R (Form 940), Allocation Schedule for Aggre-
gate Form 940 Filers, when filing an aggregate Form 940,
Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax
Return. Aggregate Forms 940 can be filed by agents act-
ing on behalf of home care service recipients who receive
home care services through a program administered by a
federal, state, or local government. To request approval to
act as an agent on behalf of home care service recipients,
the agent files Form 2678 with the IRS. Aggregate Forms
940 for tax year 2017 will also be filed by CPEOs ap-
proved by the IRS under section 7705.
Pub. 5146 explains employment tax examinations
and appeal rights. Pub. 5146 provides employers with
information on how the IRS selects employment tax re-
turns to be examined, what happens during an exam, and
what options an employer has in responding to the results
of an exam, including how to appeal the results. Pub.
5146 also includes information on worker classification is-
sues and tip exams.
Electronic Filing and Payment
Now, more than ever before, businesses can enjoy the
benefits of filing and paying their federal taxes electroni-
cally. Whether you rely on a tax professional or handle
your own taxes, the IRS offers you convenient programs
to make filing and payment easier.
Spend less time and worry on taxes and more time run-
ning your business. Use e-file and EFTPS to your benefit.
For e-file, visit IRS.gov/employmentefile for additional
information.
For EFTPS, visit eftps.gov or call EFTPS Customer
Service at 1-800-555-4477 or 1-800-733-4829 (TDD).
For electronic filing of Forms W-2, Wage and Tax
Statement, visit socialsecurity.gov/employer.
If you’re filing your tax return or paying your fed-
eral taxes electronically, a valid EIN is required. If
a valid EIN isn't provided, the return or payment
won't be processed. This may result in penalties and de-
lays in processing your return or payment.
Electronic funds withdrawal (EFW). If you file your em-
ployment tax return electronically, you can e-file and
e-pay (electronic funds withdrawal) the balance due in a
single step using tax preparation software or through a tax
professional. However, don't use EFW to make federal tax
deposits. For more information on paying your taxes using
EFW, visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/payments. A fee
may be charged to file electronically.
Credit or debit card payments. You can pay the bal-
ance due shown on your employment tax return by credit
or debit card. Don't use a credit or debit card to make fed-
eral tax deposits. For more information on paying yourCAUTION
!
taxes with a credit or debit card, visit the IRS website at
IRS.gov/payments.
Online payment agreement. You may be eligible to ap-
ply for an installment agreement online if you have a bal-
ance due when you file your employment tax return. For
more information, see the instructions for your employ-
ment tax return or visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/opa.
Forms in Spanish
You can provide Formulario W-4(SP), Certificado de
Exención de Retenciones del Empleado, in place of Form
W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, to
your Spanish-speaking employees. For more information,
see Pub. 17(SP), El Impuesto Federal sobre los Ingresos
(Para Personas Físicas). For nonemployees, Formulario
W-9(SP), Solicitud y Certificación del Número de
Identificación del Contribuyente, may be used in place of
Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number
and Certification.
Hiring New Employees
Eligibility for employment. You must verify that each
new employee is legally eligible to work in the United
States. This includes completing the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-9, Employment Eli-
gibility Verification. You can get Form I-9 at uscis.gov/
forms, USCIS offices, or by calling 1-800-870-3676. For
more information, visit the USCIS website at uscis.gov/i-9-
central or call 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD).
New hire reporting. You’re required to report any new
employee to a designated state new hire registry. A new
employee is an employee who hasn't previously been em-
ployed by you or was previously employed by you but has
been separated from such prior employment for at least
60 consecutive days.
Many states accept a copy of Form W-4 with employer
information added. Visit the Office of Child Support En-
forcement website at acf.hhs.gov/programs/css/
employers for more information.
W4 request. Ask each new employee to complete the
2017 Form W-4. See section 9.
Name and social security number (SSN). Record
each new employee's name and SSN from his or her so-
cial security card. Any employee without a social security
card should apply for one. See section 4.
Paying Wages, Pensions, or
Annuities
Correcting Form 941 or Form 944. If you discover an
error on a previously filed Form 941 or Form 944, make
the correction using Form 941-X or Form 944-X. Forms
941-X and 944-X are stand-alone forms, meaning
taxpayers can file them when an error is discovered.
Page 4 Publication 15 (2017)
Forms 941-X and 944-X are used by employers to claim
refunds or abatements of employment taxes, rather than
Form 843. See section 13 for more information.
Income tax withholding. Withhold federal income tax
from each wage payment or supplemental unemployment
compensation plan benefit payment according to the em-
ployee's Form W-4 and the correct withholding table. If
you have nonresident alien employees, see Withholding
income taxes on the wages of nonresident alien employ-
ees in section 9.
Withhold from periodic pension and annuity payments
as if the recipient is married claiming three withholding al-
lowances, unless he or she has provided Form W-4P,
Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments,
either electing no withholding or giving a different number
of allowances, marital status, or an additional amount to
be withheld. Don't withhold on direct rollovers from quali-
fied plans or governmental section 457(b) plans. See sec-
tion 9 and Pub. 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax
Guide. Pub. 15-A includes information about withholding
on pensions and annuities.
Zero wage return. If you haven't filed a “final” Form 941
or Form 944, or aren't a “seasonal” employer, you must
continue to file a Form 941 or Form 944, even for periods
during which you paid no wages. The IRS encourages you
to file your “Zero Wage” Forms 941 or 944 electronically.
Visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/employmentefile for more
information on electronic filing.
Information Returns
You may be required to file information returns to report
certain types of payments made during the year. For
example, you must file Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous
Income, to report payments of $600 or more to persons
not treated as employees (for example, independent
contractors) for services performed for your trade or
business. For details about filing Forms 1099 and for
information about required electronic filing, see the
General Instructions for Certain Information Returns for
general information and the separate, specific instructions
for each information return you file (for example,
Instructions for Form 1099-MISC). Generally, don't use
Forms 1099 to report wages and other compensation you
paid to employees; report these on Form W-2. See the
General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3 for details
about filing Form W-2 and for information about required
electronic filing. If you file 250 or more Forms 1099-MISC,
you must file them electronically. If you file 250 or more
Forms W-2, you must file them electronically. The IRS and
SSA won't accept information returns filed on magnetic
media.
Information reporting customer service site. The IRS
operates an information return customer service site to
answer questions about reporting on Forms W-2, W-3,
1099, and other information returns. If you have questions
related to reporting on information returns, call
1-866-455-7438 (toll free), 304-263-8700 (toll call), or
Employer Responsibilities
Employer Responsibilities: The following list provides a brief summary of your basic responsibilities. Because the individual
circumstances for each employer can vary greatly, responsibilities for withholding, depositing, and reporting employment taxes can
differ. Each item in this list has a page reference to a more detailed discussion in this publication.
New Employees: Page Annually (see Calendar for due dates): Page
Verify work eligibility of new employees . . . . . . . 4 File Form 944 if required (pay tax with return if
Record employees' names and SSNs from not required to deposit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
social security cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Remind employees to submit a new Form W-4
Ask employees for Form W-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 if they need to change their withholding . . . . . . . . . . 20
Each Payday: Ask for a new Form W-4 from employees
Withhold federal income tax based on each claiming exemption from income tax
employee's Form W-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Withhold employee's share of social security Reconcile Forms 941 (or Form 944) with Forms
and Medicare taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 W-2 and W-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Deposit: Furnish each employee a Form W-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
• Withheld income tax File Copy A of Forms W-2 and the transmittal
• Withheld and employer social security taxes Form W-3 with the SSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
• Withheld and employer Medicare taxes . . . . . 25 Furnish each other payee a Form 1099 (for example,
Note: Due date of deposit generally depends Form 1099-MISC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
on your deposit schedule (monthly or File Forms 1099 and the transmittal Form
semiweekly) 1096 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Quarterly (By April 30, July 31, October 31, File Form 940 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
and January 31): File Form 945 for any nonpayroll income tax
Deposit FUTA tax if undeposited amount withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
is over $500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
File Form 941 (pay tax with return if not
required to deposit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Publication 15 (2017) Page 5
304-579-4827 (TDD/TTY for persons who are deaf, hard
of hearing, or have a speech disability). The center can
also be reached by email at mccirp@irs.gov. Don't include
tax identification numbers (TINs) or attachments in email
correspondence because electronic mail isn't secure.
Nonpayroll Income Tax
Withholding
Nonpayroll federal income tax withholding (reported on
Forms 1099 and Form W-2G, Certain Gambling
Winnings) must be reported on Form 945, Annual Return
of Withheld Federal Income Tax. Separate deposits are
required for payroll (Form 941 or Form 944) and
nonpayroll (Form 945) withholding. Nonpayroll items
include:
Pensions (including distributions from tax-favored
retirement plans, for example, section 401(k), section
403(b), and governmental section 457(b) plans) and
annuities.
Military retirement.
Gambling winnings.
Indian gaming profits.
Certain other payments, such as unemployment
compensation, social security, and Tier 1 railroad
retirement benefits, subject to voluntary withholding.
Payments subject to backup withholding.
For details on depositing and reporting nonpayroll
income tax withholding, see the Instructions for Form 945.
Distributions from nonqualified pension plans and
deferred compensation plans. Because distributions to
participants from some nonqualified pension plans and
deferred compensation plans (including section 457(b)
plans of tax-exempt organizations) are treated as wages
and are reported on Form W-2, income tax withheld must
be reported on Form 941 or Form 944, not on Form 945.
However, distributions from such plans to a beneficiary or
estate of a deceased employee aren't wages and are re-
ported on Forms 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions,
Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insur-
ance Contracts, etc.; income tax withheld must be repor-
ted on Form 945.
Backup withholding. You generally must withhold 28%
of certain taxable payments if the payee fails to furnish
you with his or her correct taxpayer identification number
(TIN). This withholding is referred to as “backup withhold-
ing.”
Payments subject to backup withholding include inter-
est, dividends, patronage dividends, rents, royalties, com-
missions, nonemployee compensation, payments made in
settlement of payment card or third-party network transac-
tions, and certain other payments you make in the course
of your trade or business. In addition, transactions by
brokers and barter exchanges and certain payments
made by fishing boat operators are subject to backup
withholding.
Backup withholding doesn't apply to wages, pen-
sions, annuities, IRAs (including simplified em-
ployee pension (SEP) and SIMPLE retirement
plans), section 404(k) distributions from an employee
stock ownership plan (ESOP), medical savings accounts
(MSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), long-term-care
benefits, or real estate transactions.
You can use Form W-9 or Formulario W-9(SP) to re-
quest payees to furnish a TIN. Form W-9 or Formulario
W-9 (SP) must be used when payees must certify that the
number furnished is correct, or when payees must certify
that they’re not subject to backup withholding or are ex-
empt from backup withholding. The Instructions for the
Requester of Form W-9 or Formulario W-9(SP) includes a
list of types of payees who are exempt from backup with-
holding. For more information, see Pub. 1281, Backup
Withholding for Missing and Incorrect Name/TIN(s).
Recordkeeping
Keep all records of employment taxes for at least 4 years.
These should be available for IRS review. Your records
should include the following information.
Your EIN.
Amounts and dates of all wage, annuity, and pension
payments.
Amounts of tips reported to you by your employees.
Records of allocated tips.
The fair market value of in-kind wages paid.
Names, addresses, SSNs, and occupations of
employees and recipients.
Any employee copies of Forms W-2 and W-2c
returned to you as undeliverable.
Dates of employment for each employee.
Periods for which employees and recipients were paid
while absent due to sickness or injury and the amount
and weekly rate of payments you or third party payors
made to them.
Copies of employees' and recipients' income tax
withholding allowance certificates (Forms W-4, W-4P,
W-4(SP), W-4S, and W-4V).
Dates and amounts of tax deposits you made and
acknowledgment numbers for deposits made by
EFTPS.
Copies of returns filed and confirmation numbers.
Records of fringe benefits and expense
reimbursements provided to your employees,
including substantiation.CAUTION
!
Page 6 Publication 15 (2017)
Change of Business Name
Notify the IRS immediately if you change your business
name. Write to the IRS office where you file your returns,
using the Without a payment address provided in the
instructions for your employment tax return, to notify the
IRS of any business name change. See Pub. 1635 to see
if you need to apply for a new EIN.
Change of Business Address
or Responsible Party
Notify the IRS immediately if you change your business
address or responsible party. Complete and mail Form
8822-B to notify the IRS of a business address or
responsible party change. For a definition of “responsible
party,” see the Form 8822-B instructions.
Private Delivery Services
You can use certain private delivery services designated
by the IRS to mail tax returns and payments. The list
includes only the following:
DHL Express: DHL Express 9:00, DHL Express 10:30,
DHL Express 12:00, DHL Express Worldwide, DHL
Express Envelope, DHL Import Express 10:30, DHL
Import Express 12:00, and DHL Import Express
Worldwide
Federal Express (FedEx): FedEx First Overnight,
FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight,
FedEx 2 Day, FedEx International Next Flight Out,
FedEx International Priority, FedEx International First,
and FedEx International Economy
United Parcel Service (UPS): UPS Next Day Air Early
AM, UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS
2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS Worldwide
Express Plus, and UPS Worldwide Express
For the IRS mailing address to use if you’re using a
private delivery service, go to IRS.gov and enter “private
delivery service” in the search box. Your private delivery
service can tell you how to get written proof of the mailing
date.
Private delivery services can't deliver items to
P.O. boxes. You must use the U.S. Postal Service
to mail any item to an IRS P.O. box address.
Telephone Help
Tax questions. You can call the IRS Business and Spe-
cialty Tax Line with your employment tax questions at
1-800-829-4933.
Help for people with disabilities. You may call
1-800-829-4059 (TDD/TTY for persons who are deaf,CAUTION
!
hard of hearing, or have a speech disability) with any em-
ployment tax questions. You may also use this number for
assistance with unresolved tax problems.
Additional employment tax information. Visit IRS.gov
and enter “employment taxes” in the search box.
Ordering Employer Tax Forms
and Publications
You can order employer tax forms and publications and
information returns online at IRS.gov/orderforms.
Instead of ordering paper Forms W-2 and W-3,
consider filing them electronically using the SSA's free
e-file service. Visit the SSA's Employer W-2 Filing
Instructions & Information website at socialsecurity.gov/
employer to register for Business Services Online. You’ll
be able to create Forms W-2 online and submit them to
the SSA by typing your wage information into easy-to-use
fill-in fields. In addition, you can print out completed
copies of Forms W-2 to file with state or local
governments, distribute to your employees, and keep for
your records. Form W-3 will be created for you based on
your Forms W-2.
Filing Addresses
Generally, your filing address for Forms 940, 941, 943,
944, 945, and CT-1 depends on the location of your
residence or principal place of business and whether or
not you’re including a payment with your return. There are
separate filing addresses for these returns if you’re a
tax-exempt organization or government entity. See the
separate instructions for Forms 940, 941, 943, 944, 945,
or CT-1 for the filing addresses.
Dishonored Payments
Any form of payment that is dishonored and returned from
a financial institution is subject to a penalty. The penalty is
$25 or 2% of the payment, whichever is more. However,
the penalty on dishonored payments of $24.99 or less is
an amount equal to the payment. For example, a
dishonored payment of $18 is charged a penalty of $18.
Photographs of Missing
Children
The IRS is a proud partner with the National Center for
Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC). Photographs of
missing children selected by the Center may appear in
this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank.
You can help bring these children home by looking at the
photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST
(1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.
Publication 15 (2017) Page 7
Calendar
The following is a list of important dates and
responsibilities. Also see Pub. 509, Tax Calendars.
If any date shown next for filing a return, furnish-
ing a form, or depositing taxes falls on a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is the next
business day. A statewide legal holiday delays a filing due
date only if the IRS office where you’re required to file is
located in that state. However, a statewide legal holiday
doesn't delay the due date of federal tax deposits. See
Deposits Due on Business Days Only in section 11. For
any filing due date, you’ll meet the “file” or “furnish” re-
quirement if the envelope containing the return or form is
properly addressed, contains sufficient postage, and is
postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before the
due date, or sent by an IRS-designated private delivery
service on or before the due date. See Private Delivery
Services under Reminders for more information.
By January 31
File Form 941 or Form 944. File Form 941 for the
fourth quarter of the previous calendar year and deposit
any undeposited income, social security, and Medicare
taxes. You may pay these taxes with Form 941 if your
total tax liability for the quarter is less than $2,500. File
Form 944 for the previous calendar year instead of Form
941 if the IRS has notified you in writing to file Form 944
and pay any undeposited income, social security, and
Medicare taxes. You may pay these taxes with Form
944 if your total tax liability for the year is less than
$2,500. For additional rules on when you can pay your
taxes with your return, see Payment with return in sec-
tion 11. If you timely deposited all taxes when due, you
may file by February 10.
File Form 940. File Form 940 to report any FUTA tax.
However, if you deposited all of the FUTA tax when due,
you may file by February 10.
Furnish Forms 1099 and W2. Furnish each em-
ployee a completed Form W-2. Furnish Form
1099-MISC to payees for nonemployee compensation.
Most Forms 1099 must be furnished to payees by Janu-
ary 31, but some can be furnished by February 15. For
more information, see the General Instructions for Cer-
tain Information Returns.
File Form W2. File with the SSA Copy A of all 2016
paper and electronic Forms W-2 with Form W-3, Trans-
mittal of Wage and Tax Statements. For more informa-
tion on reporting Form W-2 information to the SSA elec-
tronically, visit the SSA’s Employer W-2 Filing
Instructions & Information webpage at
socialsecurity.gov/employer. If filing electronically, the
SSA will generate Form W-3 data from the electronic
submission of Form(s) W-2.
File Form 1099MISC reporting nonemployee com
pensation. File with the IRS Copy A of all 2016TIP
paper and electronic Forms 1099-MISC that report non-
employee compensation, with Form 1096, Annual Sum-
mary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns. For
information on filing information returns electronically
with the IRS, see Pub. 1220, Specifications for Elec-
tronic Filing of Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922,
5498, and W-2G.
File Form 945. File Form 945 to report any nonpayroll
federal income tax withheld. If you deposited all taxes
when due, you may file by February 10. See Nonpayroll
Income Tax Withholding under Reminders for more in-
formation.
By February 15
Request a new Form W4 from exempt employees.
Ask for a new Form W-4 from each employee who
claimed exemption from income tax withholding last
year.
On February 16
Forms W4 claiming exemption from withholding ex
pire. Any Form W-4 claiming exemption from with-
holding for the previous year has now expired. Begin
withholding for any employee who previously claimed
exemption from withholding but hasn't given you a new
Form W-4 for the current year. If the employee doesn't
give you a new Form W-4, withhold tax based on the
last valid Form W-4 you have for the employee that
doesn't claim exemption from withholding or, if one
doesn't exist, as if he or she is single with zero withhold-
ing allowances. See section 9 for more information. If
the employee furnishes a new Form W-4 claiming ex-
emption from withholding after February 15, you may
apply the exemption to future wages, but don't refund
taxes withheld while the exempt status wasn't in place.
By February 28
File paper 2016 Forms 1099 and 1096. File Copy A
of all paper 2016 Forms 1099, except Forms
1099-MISC reporting nonemployee compensation, with
Form 1096 with the IRS. For electronically filed returns,
see By March 31 below.
File paper Form 8027. File paper Form 8027, Em-
ployer's Annual Information Return of Tip Income and
Allocated Tips, with the IRS. See section 6. For elec-
tronically filed returns, see By March 31 next.
By March 31
File electronic 2016 Forms 1099 and 8027. File
electronic 2016 Forms 1099, except Forms 1099-MISC
reporting nonemployee compensation, and 8027 with
the IRS. For information on filing information returns
electronically with the IRS, see Pub. 1220 and Pub.
1239, Specifications for Electronic Filing of Form 8027,
Employer's Annual Information Return of Tip Income
and Allocated Tips.
Page 8 Publication 15 (2017)
By April 30, July 31, October 31, and
January 31
Deposit FUTA taxes. Deposit FUTA tax for the quar-
ter (including any amount carried over from other quar-
ters) if over $500. If $500 or less, carry it over to the next
quarter. See section 14 for more information.
File Form 941. File Form 941 and deposit any unde-
posited income, social security, and Medicare taxes.
You may pay these taxes with Form 941 if your total tax
liability for the quarter is less than $2,500. If you timely
deposited all taxes when due, you may file by May 10,
August 10, November 10, or February 10, respectively.
Don't file Form 941 for these quarters if you have been
notified to file Form 944 and you didn't request and re-
ceive written notice from the IRS to file quarterly Forms
941.
Before December 1
New Forms W4. Remind employees to submit a new
Form W-4 if their marital status or withholding allowan-
ces have changed or will change for the next year.
Introduction
This publication explains your tax responsibilities as an
employer. It explains the requirements for withholding, de-
positing, reporting, paying, and correcting employment
taxes. It explains the forms you must give to your employ-
ees, those your employees must give to you, and those
you must send to the IRS and the SSA. This guide also
has tax tables you need to figure the taxes to withhold
from each employee for 2017. References to “income tax”
in this guide apply only to “federal” income tax. Contact
your state or local tax department to determine if their
rules are different.
When you pay your employees, you don't pay them all
the money they earned. As their employer, you have the
added responsibility of withholding taxes from their pay-
checks. The federal income tax and employees' share of
social security and Medicare taxes that you withhold from
your employees' paychecks are part of their wages that
you pay to the United States Treasury instead of to your
employees. Your employees trust that you pay the with-
held taxes to the United States Treasury by making fed-
eral tax deposits. This is the reason that these withheld
taxes are called trust fund taxes. If federal income, social
security, or Medicare taxes that must be withheld aren't
withheld or aren't deposited or paid to the United States
Treasury, the trust fund recovery penalty may apply. See
section 11 for more information.
Additional employment tax information is available in
Pub. 15-A. Pub. 15-A includes specialized information
supplementing the basic employment tax information pro-
vided in this publication. Pub. 15-B, Employer's Tax Guide
to Fringe Benefits, contains information about the employ-
ment tax treatment and valuation of various types of non-
cash compensation.
Most employers must withhold (except FUTA), deposit,
report, and pay the following employment taxes.
Income tax.
Social security tax.
Medicare tax.
FUTA tax.
There are exceptions to these requirements. See sec-
tion 15 for guidance. Railroad retirement taxes are ex-
plained in the Instructions for Form CT-1.
Comments and suggestions. We welcome your com-
ments about this publication and your suggestions for fu-
ture editions.
You can send us comments from IRS.gov/
formcomment.
Or you can write to:
Internal Revenue Service
Tax Forms and Publications
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526
Washington, DC 20224
We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it
would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone
number, including the area code, in your correspondence.
Although we can’t respond individually to each com-
ment received, we do appreciate your feedback and will
consider your comments as we revise our tax forms, in-
structions, and publications. We can’t answer tax ques-
tions sent to the above address.
Federal Government employers. The information in
this publication, including the rules for making federal tax
deposits, applies to federal agencies.
State and local government employers. Payments to
employees for services in the employ of state and local
government employers are generally subject to federal in-
come tax withholding but not FUTA tax. Most elected and
appointed public officials of state or local governments are
employees under common law rules. See chapter 3 of
Pub. 963, Federal-State Reference Guide. In addition, wa-
ges, with certain exceptions, are subject to social security
and Medicare taxes. See section 15 for more information
on the exceptions.
If an election worker is employed in another capacity
with the same government entity, see Revenue Ruling
2000-6 on page 512 of Internal Revenue Bulletin 2000-6
at IRS.gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb00-06.pdf.
You can get information on reporting and social secur-
ity coverage from your local IRS office. If you have any
questions about coverage under a section 218 (Social Se-
curity Act) agreement, contact the appropriate state offi-
cial. To find your State Social Security Administrator, visit
the National Conference of State Social Security Adminis-
trators website at ncsssa.org.
Disregarded entities and qualified subchapter S sub
sidiaries (QSubs). Eligible single-owner disregarded en-
tities and QSubs are treated as separate entities for
Publication 15 (2017) Page 9
employment tax purposes. Eligible single-member entities
must report and pay employment taxes on wages paid to
their employees using the entities' own names and EINs.
See Regulations sections 1.1361-4(a)(7) and
301.7701-2(c)(2)(iv).
COBRA premium assistance credit. The Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA)
provides certain former employees, retirees, spouses, for-
mer spouses, and dependent children the right to tempo-
rary continuation of health coverage at group rates.
COBRA generally covers multiemployer health plans and
health plans maintained by private-sector employers
(other than churches) with 20 or more full and part-time
employees. Parallel requirements apply to these plans un-
der the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA). Under the Public Health Service Act, COBRA re-
quirements apply also to health plans covering state or lo-
cal government employees. Similar requirements apply
under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
and under some state laws. For the premium assistance
(or subsidy) discussed below, these requirements are all
referred to as COBRA requirements.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (ARRA), employers are allowed a credit against
“payroll taxes” (referred to in this publication as “employ-
ment taxes”) for providing COBRA premium assistance to
assistance-eligible individuals. For periods of COBRA
continuation coverage beginning after February 16, 2009,
a group health plan must treat an assistance-eligible indi-
vidual as having paid the required COBRA continuation
coverage premium if the individual elects COBRA cover-
age and pays 35% of the amount of the premium.
An assistance-eligible individual is a qualified benefi-
ciary of an employer's group health plan who is eligible for
COBRA continuation coverage during the period begin-
ning September 1, 2008, and ending May 31, 2010, due
to the involuntarily termination from employment of a cov-
ered employee during the period and elects continuation
COBRA coverage. The assistance for the coverage can
last up to 15 months.
The COBRA premium assistance credit was available
to an employer for premiums paid on behalf of employees
who were involuntarily terminated from employment be-
tween September 1, 2008, and May 31, 2010. The
COBRA premium assistance credit isn’t available for indi-
viduals who were involuntarily terminated after May 31,
2010. Therefore, only in rare circumstances will the credit
still be available, such as instances where COBRA eligibil-
ity was delayed as a result of employer-provided health in-
surance coverage following termination. For more infor-
mation about the credit, see Notice 2009-27, 2009-16
I.R.B. 838, available at IRS.gov/irb/2009-16_irb/ar09.html.
Administrators of the group health plans (or other enti-
ties) that provide or administer COBRA continuation cov-
erage must provide notice to assistance-eligible individu-
als of the COBRA premium assistance.
The 65% of the premium not paid by the assistance-eli-
gible individuals is reimbursed to the employer maintain-
ing the group health plan. The reimbursement is made
through a credit against the employer's employment tax
liabilities. For information on how to claim the credit, see
the Instructions for Form 941-X or the Instructions for
Form 944-X. The credit is treated as a deposit made on
the first day of the return period (quarter or year). In the
case of a multiemployer plan, the credit is claimed by the
plan, rather than the employer. In the case of an insured
plan subject to state law continuation coverage require-
ments, the credit is claimed by the insurance company,
rather than the employer.
Anyone claiming the credit for COBRA premium assis-
tance payments must maintain the following information to
support their claim, including the following.
Information on the receipt of the assistance-eligible in-
dividuals' 35% share of the premium, including dates
and amounts.
In the case of an insurance plan, a copy of an invoice
or other supporting statement from the insurance car-
rier and proof of timely payment of the full premium to
the insurance carrier required under COBRA.
In the case of a self-insured plan, proof of the pre-
mium amount and proof of the coverage provided to
the assistance-eligible individuals.
Attestation of involuntary termination, including the
date of the involuntary termination for each covered
employee whose involuntary termination is the basis
for eligibility for the subsidy.
Proof of each assistance-eligible individual's eligibility
for COBRA coverage and the election of COBRA cov-
erage.
A record of the SSNs of all covered employees, the
amount of the subsidy reimbursed with respect to
each covered employee, and whether the subsidy
was for one individual or two or more individuals.
For more information, visit IRS.gov and enter “COBRA”
in the search box.
1. Employer Identification
Number (EIN)
If you’re required to report employment taxes or give tax
statements to employees or annuitants, you need an EIN.
The EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues. The dig-
its are arranged as follows: 00-0000000. It is used to iden-
tify the tax accounts of employers and certain others who
have no employees. Use your EIN on all of the items you
send to the IRS and the SSA. For more information, see
Pub. 1635.
If you don’t have an EIN, you may apply for one online
by visiting the IRS website at IRS.gov/ein. You may also
apply for an EIN by faxing or mailing Form SS-4 to the
IRS. Employers outside of the United States may also ap-
ply for an EIN by calling 267-941-1099 (toll call). Don't use
an SSN in place of an EIN.
Page 10 Publication 15 (2017)
You should have only one EIN. If you have more than
one and aren't sure which one to use, call 1-800-829-4933
or 1-800-829-4059 (TDD/TTY for persons who are deaf,
hard of hearing, or have a speech disability). Give the
numbers you have, the name and address to which each
was assigned, and the address of your main place of busi-
ness. The IRS will tell you which number to use. For more
information, see Pub. 1635.
If you took over another employer's business (see Suc-
cessor employer in section 9), don't use that employer's
EIN. If you’ve applied for an EIN but don't have your EIN
by the time a return is due, file a paper return and write
“Applied For” and the date you applied for it in the space
shown for the number.
2. Who Are Employees?
Generally, employees are defined either under common
law or under statutes for certain situations. See Pub. 15-A
for details on statutory employees and nonemployees.
Employee status under common law. Generally, a
worker who performs services for you is your employee if
you have the right to control what will be done and how it
will be done. This is so even when you give the employee
freedom of action. What matters is that you have the right
to control the details of how the services are performed.
See Pub. 15-A for more information on how to determine
whether an individual providing services is an independ-
ent contractor or an employee.
Generally, people in business for themselves aren't
employees. For example, doctors, lawyers, veterinarians,
and others in an independent trade in which they offer
their services to the public are usually not employees.
However, if the business is incorporated, corporate offi-
cers who work in the business are employees of the cor-
poration.
If an employer-employee relationship exists, it doesn't
matter what it is called. The employee may be called an
agent or independent contractor. It also doesn't matter
how payments are measured or paid, what they’re called,
or if the employee works full or part time.
Statutory employees. If someone who works for you
isn't an employee under the common law rules discussed
above, don't withhold federal income tax from his or her
pay, unless backup withholding applies. Although the fol-
lowing persons may not be common law employees,
they’re considered employees by statute for social secur-
ity, Medicare, and FUTA tax purposes under certain con-
ditions.
An agent (or commission) driver who delivers food,
beverages (other than milk), laundry, or dry cleaning
for someone else.
A full-time life insurance salesperson who sells primar-
ily for one company.
A homeworker who works by guidelines of the person
for whom the work is done, with materials furnished by
and returned to that person or to someone that person
designates.
A traveling or city salesperson (other than an
agent-driver or commission-driver) who works full time
(except for sideline sales activities) for one firm or per-
son getting orders from customers. The orders must
be for merchandise for resale or supplies for use in the
customer's business. The customers must be retail-
ers, wholesalers, contractors, or operators of hotels,
restaurants, or other businesses dealing with food or
lodging.
Statutory nonemployees. Direct sellers, qualified real
estate agents, and certain companion sitters are, by law,
considered nonemployees. They’re generally treated as
self-employed for all federal tax purposes, including in-
come and employment taxes.
H2A agricultural workers. On Form W-2, don't check
box 13 (Statutory employee), as H-2A workers aren't stat-
utory employees.
Treating employees as nonemployees. You’ll gener-
ally be liable for social security and Medicare taxes and
withheld income tax if you don't deduct and withhold these
taxes because you treated an employee as a nonem-
ployee. You may be able to calculate your liability using
special IRC section 3509 rates for the employee share of
social security and Medicare taxes and the federal income
tax withholding. The applicable rates depend on whether
you filed required Forms 1099. You can't recover the em-
ployee share of social security tax, Medicare tax, or in-
come tax withholding from the employee if the tax is paid
under IRC section 3509. You’re liable for the income tax
withholding regardless of whether the employee paid in-
come tax on the wages. You continue to owe the full em-
ployer share of social security and Medicare taxes. The
employee remains liable for the employee share of social
security and Medicare taxes. See IRC section 3509 for
details. Also see the Instructions for Form 941-X.
IRC section 3509 rates aren't available if you intention-
ally disregard the requirement to withhold taxes from the
employee or if you withheld income taxes but not social
security or Medicare taxes. IRC section 3509 isn't availa-
ble for reclassifying statutory employees. See Statutory
employees above.
If the employer issued required information returns, the
IRC section 3509 rates are:
For social security taxes; employer rate of 6.2% plus
20% of the employee rate of 6.2% for a total rate of
7.44% of wages.
For Medicare taxes; employer rate of 1.45% plus 20%
of the employee rate of 1.45%, for a total rate of
1.74% of wages.
For Additional Medicare Tax; 0.18% (20% of the em-
ployee rate of 0.9%) of wages subject to Additional
Medicare Tax.
For income tax withholding, the rate is 1.5% of wages.
Publication 15 (2017) Page 11
If the employer didn't issue required information re-
turns, the IRC section 3509 rates are:
For social security taxes; employer rate of 6.2% plus
40% of the employee rate of 6.2% for a total rate of
8.68% of wages.
For Medicare taxes; employer rate of 1.45% plus 40%
of the employee rate of 1.45%, for a total rate of
2.03% of wages.
For Additional Medicare Tax; 0.36% (40% of the em-
ployee rate of 0.9%) of wages subject to Additional
Medicare Tax.
For income tax withholding, the rate is 3.0% of wages.
Relief provisions. If you have a reasonable basis for
not treating a worker as an employee, you may be re-
lieved from having to pay employment taxes for that
worker. To get this relief, you must file all required federal
tax returns, including information returns, on a basis con-
sistent with your treatment of the worker. You (or your
predecessor) must not have treated any worker holding a
substantially similar position as an employee for any peri-
ods beginning after 1977. See Pub. 1976, Do You Qualify
for Relief Under Section 530.
IRS help. If you want the IRS to determine whether a
worker is an employee, file Form SS-8.
Voluntary Classification Settlement Program (VCSP).
Employers who are currently treating their workers (or a
class or group of workers) as independent contractors or
other nonemployees and want to voluntarily reclassify
their workers as employees for future tax periods may be
eligible to participate in the VCSP if certain requirements
are met. File Form 8952 to apply for the VCSP. For more
information visit IRS.gov and enter “VCSP” in the search
box.
Business Owned and Operated by
Spouses
If you and your spouse jointly own and operate a business
and share in the profits and losses, you may be partners
in a partnership, whether or not you have a formal partner-
ship agreement. See Pub. 541 for more details. The part-
nership is considered the employer of any employees,
and is liable for any employment taxes due on wages paid
to its employees.
Exception—Qualified joint venture. For tax years be-
ginning after December 31, 2006, the Small Business and
Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-28)
provides that a “qualified joint venture,” whose only mem-
bers are spouses filing a joint income tax return, can elect
not to be treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes.
A qualified joint venture conducts a trade or business
where:
The only members of the joint venture are spouses
who file a joint income tax return,
Both spouses materially participate (see Material par-
ticipation in the Instructions for Schedule C (Form
1040), line G) in the trade or business (mere joint own-
ership of property isn't enough),
Both spouses elect to not be treated as a partnership,
and
The business is co-owned by both spouses and isn't
held in the name of a state law entity such as a part-
nership or limited liability company (LLC).
To make the election, all items of income, gain, loss,
deduction, and credit must be divided between the spou-
ses, in accordance with each spouse's interest in the ven-
ture, and reported on separate Schedules C or F as sole
proprietors. Each spouse must also file a separate Sched-
ule SE to pay self-employment taxes, as applicable.
Spouses using the qualified joint venture rules are
treated as sole proprietors for federal tax purposes and
generally don't need an EIN. If employment taxes are
owed by the qualified joint venture, either spouse may re-
port and pay the employment taxes due on the wages
paid to the employees using the EIN of that spouse's sole
proprietorship. Generally, filing as a qualified joint venture
won't increase the spouses' total tax owed on the joint in-
come tax return. However, it gives each spouse credit for
social security earnings on which retirement benefits are
based and for Medicare coverage without filing a partner-
ship return.
Note. If your spouse is your employee, not your part-
ner, see One spouse employed by another in section 3.
For more information on qualified joint ventures, visit
IRS.gov and enter “qualified joint venture” in the search
box.
Exception—Community income. If you and your
spouse wholly own an unincorporated business as com-
munity property under the community property laws of a
state, foreign country, or U.S. possession, you can treat
the business either as a sole proprietorship (of the spouse
who carried on the business) or a partnership. You may
still make an election to be taxed as a qualified joint ven-
ture instead of a partnership. See Exception—Qualified
joint venture above.
3. Family Employees
Child employed by parents. Payments for the services
of a child under age 18 who works for his or her parent in
a trade or business aren't subject to social security and
Medicare taxes if the trade or business is a sole proprie-
torship or a partnership in which each partner is a parent
of the child. If these payments are for work other than in a
trade or business, such as domestic work in the parent's
private home, they’re not subject to social security and
Medicare taxes until the child reaches age 21. However,
see Covered services of a child or spouse, later. Pay-
ments for the services of a child under age 21 who works
for his or her parent, whether or not in a trade or business,
aren't subject to FUTA tax. Payments for the services of a
child of any age who works for his or her parent are
Page 12 Publication 15 (2017)
generally subject to income tax withholding unless the
payments are for domestic work in the parent's home, or
unless the payments are for work other than in a trade or
business and are less than $50 in the quarter or the child
isn't regularly employed to do such work.
One spouse employed by another. The wages for the
services of an individual who works for his or her spouse
in a trade or business are subject to income tax withhold-
ing and social security and Medicare taxes, but not to
FUTA tax. However, the payments for services of one
spouse employed by another in other than a trade or busi-
ness, such as domestic service in a private home, aren't
subject to social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes.
Covered services of a child or spouse. The wages for
the services of a child or spouse are subject to income tax
withholding as well as social security, Medicare, and
FUTA taxes if he or she works for:
A corporation, even if it is controlled by the child's pa-
rent or the individual's spouse;
A partnership, even if the child's parent is a partner,
unless each partner is a parent of the child;
A partnership, even if the individual's spouse is a part-
ner; or
An estate, even if it is the estate of a deceased parent.
Parent employed by son or daughter. When the em-
ployer is a son or daughter employing his or her parent the
following rules apply.
Payments for the services of a parent in the son’s or
daughter’s (the employer’s) trade or business are sub-
ject to income tax withholding and social security and
Medicare taxes.
Payments for the services of a parent not in the son’s
or daughter’s (the employer’s) trade or business are
generally not subject to social security and Medicare
taxes.
Social security and Medicare taxes do apply to
payments made to a parent for domestic services
if all of the following apply:
The parent is employed by his or her son or daughter;
The son or daughter (the employer) has a child or
stepchild living in the home;
The son or daughter (the employer) is a widow or wid-
ower, divorced, or living with a spouse who, because
of a mental or physical condition, can't care for the
child or stepchild for at least 4 continuous weeks in a
calendar quarter; and
The child or stepchild is either under age 18 or re-
quires the personal care of an adult for at least 4 con-
tinuous weeks in a calendar quarter due to a mental or
physical condition.
Payments made to a parent employed by his or her
child aren't subject to FUTA tax, regardless of the type of
services provided.CAUTION
!
4. Employee's Social Security
Number (SSN)
You’re required to get each employee's name and SSN
and to enter them on Form W-2. This requirement also ap-
plies to resident and nonresident alien employees. You
should ask your employee to show you his or her social
security card. The employee may show the card if it is
available.
Don't accept a social security card that says “Not
valid for employment.” A social security number
issued with this legend doesn't permit employ-
ment.
You may, but aren't required to, photocopy the social
security card if the employee provides it. If you don't pro-
vide the correct employee name and SSN on Form W-2,
you may owe a penalty unless you have reasonable
cause. See Pub. 1586, Reasonable Cause Regulations &
Requirements for Missing and Incorrect Name/TINs, for
information on the requirement to solicit the employee's
SSN.
Applying for a social security card. Any employee
who is legally eligible to work in the United States and
doesn't have a social security card can get one by com-
pleting Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card,
and submitting the necessary documentation. You can get
Form SS-5 from the SSA website at socialsecurity.gov/
online/ss-5.html, at SSA offices, or by calling
1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY). The employee
must complete and sign Form SS-5; it can't be filed by the
employer. You may be asked to supply a letter to accom-
pany Form SS-5 if the employee has exceeded his or her
yearly or lifetime limit for the number of replacement cards
allowed.
Applying for an SSN. If you file Form W-2 on paper and
your employee applied for an SSN but doesn't have one
when you must file Form W-2, enter “Applied For” on the
form. If you’re filing electronically, enter all zeros
(000-00-0000 if creating forms online or 000000000 if up-
loading a file) in the SSN field. When the employee re-
ceives the SSN, file Copy A of Form W-2c, Corrected
Wage and Tax Statement, with the SSA to show the em-
ployee's SSN. Furnish copies B, C, and 2 of Form W-2c to
the employee. Up to 25 Forms W-2c for each Form W-3c,
Transmittal of Corrected Wage and Tax Statements, may
now be filed per session over the Internet, with no limit on
the number of sessions. For more information, visit the
SSA's Employer W-2 Filing Instructions & Information
webpage at socialsecurity.gov/employer. Advise your em-
ployee to correct the SSN on his or her original Form W-2.
Correctly record the employee's name and SSN. Re-
cord the name and SSN of each employee as they’re
shown on the employee's social security card. If the em-
ployee's name isn't correct as shown on the card (for ex-
ample, because of marriage or divorce), the employeeCAUTION
!
Publication 15 (2017) Page 13
should request an updated card from the SSA. Continue
to report the employee's wages under the old name until
the employee shows you the updated social security card
with the corrected name.
If the SSA issues the employee an updated card after a
name change, or a new card with a different SSN after a
change in alien work status, file a Form W-2c to correct
the name/SSN reported for the most recently filed Form
W-2. It isn't necessary to correct other years if the previ-
ous name and number were used for years before the
most recent Form W-2.
IRS individual taxpayer identification numbers
(ITINs) for aliens. Don't accept an ITIN in place of an
SSN for employee identification or for work. An ITIN is
only available to resident and nonresident aliens who
aren't eligible for U.S. employment and need identification
for other tax purposes. You can identify an ITIN because it
is a nine-digit number, formatted like an SSN, that starts
with the number "9" and has a range of numbers from “50–
65,” “70–88,” “90–92,” and “94–99” for the fourth and fifth
digits (for example, 9NN-7N-NNNN).
An individual with an ITIN who later becomes eli-
gible to work in the United States must obtain an
SSN. If the individual is currently eligible to work
in the United States, instruct the individual to apply for an
SSN and follow the instructions under Applying for an
SSN, earlier. Don't use an ITIN in place of an SSN on
Form W-2.
Verification of SSNs. Employers and authorized report-
ing agents can use the Social Security Number Verifica-
tion Service (SSNVS) to instantly verify up to 10 names
and SSNs (per screen) at a time, or submit an electronic
file of up to 250,000 names and SSNs and usually receive
the results the next business day. Visit socialsecurity.gov/
employer/ssnv.htm for more information.
Registering for SSNVS. You must register online and
receive authorization from your employer to use SSNVS.
To register, visit the SSA's website at socialsecurity.gov/
bso and click on the Register link under Business Serv-
ices Online. Follow the registration instructions to obtain a
user identification (ID) and password. You’ll need to pro-
vide the following information about yourself and your
company.
Name.
SSN.
Date of birth.
Type of employer.
EIN.
Company name, address, and telephone number.
Email address.
When you have completed the online registration proc-
ess, the SSA will mail a one-time activation code to your
employer. You must enter the activation code online to
use SSNVS.CAUTION
!
5. Wages and Other
Compensation
Wages subject to federal employment taxes generally in-
clude all pay you give to an employee for services per-
formed. The pay may be in cash or in other forms. It in-
cludes salaries, vacation allowances, bonuses,
commissions, and fringe benefits. It doesn't matter how
you measure or make the payments. Amounts an em-
ployer pays as a bonus for signing or ratifying a contract in
connection with the establishment of an employer-em-
ployee relationship and an amount paid to an employee
for cancellation of an employment contract and relinquish-
ment of contract rights are wages subject to social secur-
ity, Medicare, and FUTA taxes and income tax withhold-
ing. Also, compensation paid to a former employee for
services performed while still employed is wages subject
to employment taxes.
More information. See section 6 for a discussion of tips
and section 7 for a discussion of supplemental wages.
Also, see section 15 for exceptions to the general rules for
wages. Pub. 15-A provides additional information on wa-
ges, including nonqualified deferred compensation, and
other compensation. Pub. 15-B provides information on
other forms of compensation, including:
Accident and health benefits,
Achievement awards,
Adoption assistance,
Athletic facilities,
De minimis (minimal) benefits,
Dependent care assistance,
Educational assistance,
Employee discounts,
Employee stock options,
Employer-provided cell phones,
Group-term life insurance coverage,
Health savings accounts,
Lodging on your business premises,
Meals,
Moving expense reimbursements,
No-additional-cost services,
Retirement planning services,
Transportation (commuting) benefits,
Tuition reduction, and
Working condition benefits.
Employee business expense reimbursements. A re-
imbursement or allowance arrangement is a system by
which you pay the advances, reimbursements, and
charges for your employees' business expenses. How you
Page 14 Publication 15 (2017)
report a reimbursement or allowance amount depends on
whether you have an accountable or a nonaccountable
plan. If a single payment includes both wages and an ex-
pense reimbursement, you must specify the amount of the
reimbursement.
These rules apply to all ordinary and necessary em-
ployee business expenses that would otherwise qualify for
a deduction by the employee.
Accountable plan. To be an accountable plan, your
reimbursement or allowance arrangement must require
your employees to meet all three of the following rules.
1. They must have paid or incurred deductible expenses
while performing services as your employees. The re-
imbursement or advance must be payment for the ex-
penses and must not be an amount that would have
otherwise been paid to the employee as wages.
2. They must substantiate these expenses to you within
a reasonable period of time.
3. They must return any amounts in excess of substanti-
ated expenses within a reasonable period of time.
Amounts paid under an accountable plan aren't wages
and aren't subject to income, social security, Medicare,
and FUTA taxes.
If the expenses covered by this arrangement aren't
substantiated (or amounts in excess of substantiated ex-
penses aren't returned within a reasonable period of time),
the amount paid under the arrangement in excess of the
substantiated expenses is treated as paid under a nonac-
countable plan. This amount is subject to income, social
security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes for the first payroll pe-
riod following the end of the reasonable period of time.
A reasonable period of time depends on the facts and
circumstances. Generally, it is considered reasonable if
your employees receive their advance within 30 days of
the time they incur the expenses, adequately account for
the expenses within 60 days after the expenses were paid
or incurred, and return any amounts in excess of expen-
ses within 120 days after the expenses were paid or incur-
red. Also, it is considered reasonable if you give your em-
ployees a periodic statement (at least quarterly) that asks
them to either return or adequately account for outstand-
ing amounts and they do so within 120 days.
Nonaccountable plan. Payments to your employee
for travel and other necessary expenses of your business
under a nonaccountable plan are wages and are treated
as supplemental wages and subject to income, social se-
curity, Medicare, and FUTA taxes. Your payments are
treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan if:
Your employee isn't required to or doesn't substanti-
ate timely those expenses to you with receipts or other
documentation,
You advance an amount to your employee for busi-
ness expenses and your employee isn't required to or
doesn't return timely any amount he or she doesn't
use for business expenses,
You advance or pay an amount to your employee re-
gardless of whether you reasonably expect the
employee to have business expenses related to your
business, or
You pay an amount as a reimbursement you would
have otherwise paid as wages.
See section 7 for more information on supplemental
wages.
Per diem or other fixed allowance. You may reim-
burse your employees by travel days, miles, or some
other fixed allowance under the applicable revenue proce-
dure. In these cases, your employee is considered to have
accounted to you if your reimbursement doesn't exceed
rates established by the Federal Government. The 2016
standard mileage rate for auto expenses was 54 cents per
mile. The rate for 2017 is 53.5 cents per mile.
The government per diem rates for meals and lodging
in the continental United States can be found by visiting
the U.S. General Services Administration website at
GSA.gov and entering "per diem rates" in the search box.
Other than the amount of these expenses, your employ-
ees' business expenses must be substantiated (for exam-
ple, the business purpose of the travel or the number of
business miles driven). For information on substantiation
methods, see Pub. 463.
If the per diem or allowance paid exceeds the amounts
substantiated, you must report the excess amount as wa-
ges. This excess amount is subject to income tax with-
holding and payment of social security, Medicare, and
FUTA taxes. Show the amount equal to the substantiated
amount (for example, the nontaxable portion) in box 12 of
Form W-2 using code “L.”
Wages not paid in money. If in the course of your trade
or business you pay your employees in a medium that is
neither cash nor a readily negotiable instrument, such as
a check, you’re said to pay them “in kind.” Payments in
kind may be in the form of goods, lodging, food, clothing,
or services. Generally, the fair market value of such pay-
ments at the time they’re provided is subject to federal in-
come tax withholding and social security, Medicare, and
FUTA taxes.
However, noncash payments for household work, agri-
cultural labor, and service not in the employer's trade or
business are exempt from social security, Medicare, and
FUTA taxes. Withhold income tax on these payments only
if you and the employee agree to do so. Nonetheless,
noncash payments for agricultural labor, such as com-
modity wages, are treated as cash payments subject to
employment taxes if the substance of the transaction is a
cash payment.
Moving expenses. Reimbursed and employer-paid
qualified moving expenses (those that would otherwise be
deductible by the employee) paid under an accountable
plan aren't includible in an employee's income unless you
have knowledge the employee deducted the expenses in
a prior year. Reimbursed and employer-paid nonqualified
moving expenses are includible in income and are subject
to employment taxes and income tax withholding. For
more information on moving expenses, see Pub. 521.
Publication 15 (2017) Page 15
Meals and lodging. The value of meals isn't taxable in-
come and isn't subject to income tax withholding and so-
cial security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes if the meals are
furnished for the employer's convenience and on the em-
ployer's premises. The value of lodging isn't subject to in-
come tax withholding and social security, Medicare, and
FUTA taxes if the lodging is furnished for the employer's
convenience, on the employer's premises, and as a condi-
tion of employment.
“For the convenience of the employer” means you have
a substantial business reason for providing the meals and
lodging other than to provide additional compensation to
the employee. For example, meals you provide at the
place of work so that an employee is available for emer-
gencies during his or her lunch period are generally con-
sidered to be for your convenience.
However, whether meals or lodging are provided for
the convenience of the employer depends on all of the
facts and circumstances. A written statement that the
meals or lodging are for your convenience isn't sufficient.
50% test. If over 50% of the employees who are provi-
ded meals on an employer's business premises receive
these meals for the convenience of the employer, all
meals provided on the premises are treated as furnished
for the convenience of the employer. If this 50% test is
met, the value of the meals is excludable from income for
all employees and isn't subject to federal income tax with-
holding or employment taxes. For more information, see
Pub. 15-B.
Health insurance plans. If you pay the cost of an acci-
dent or health insurance plan for your employees, includ-
ing an employee's spouse and dependents, your pay-
ments aren't wages and aren't subject to social security,
Medicare, and FUTA taxes, or federal income tax with-
holding. Generally, this exclusion also applies to qualified
long-term care insurance contracts. However, for income
tax withholding, the value of health insurance benefits
must be included in the wages of S corporation employ-
ees who own more than 2% of the S corporation (2%
shareholders). For social security, Medicare, and FUTA
taxes, the health insurance benefits are excluded from the
wages only for employees and their dependents or for a
class or classes of employees and their dependents. See
Announcement 92-16 for more information. You can find
Announcement 92-16 on page 53 of Internal Revenue
Bulletin 1992-5.
Health savings accounts and medical savings ac
counts. Your contributions to an employee's health sav-
ings account (HSA) or Archer medical savings account
(MSA) aren't subject to social security, Medicare, or FUTA
taxes, or federal income tax withholding if it is reasonable
to believe at the time of payment of the contributions
they’ll be excludable from the income of the employee. To
the extent it isn't reasonable to believe they’ll be excluda-
ble, your contributions are subject to these taxes. Em-
ployee contributions to their HSAs or MSAs through a
payroll deduction plan must be included in wages and are
subject to social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes and
income tax withholding. However, HSA contributions
made under a salary reduction arrangement in a section
125 cafeteria plan aren't wages and aren't subject to em-
ployment taxes or withholding. For more information, see
the Instructions for Form 8889.
Medical care reimbursements. Generally, medical care
reimbursements paid for an employee under an employ-
er's self-insured medical reimbursement plan aren't wa-
ges and aren't subject to social security, Medicare, and
FUTA taxes, or income tax withholding. See Pub. 15-B for
an exception for highly compensated employees.
Differential wage payments. Differential wage pay-
ments are any payments made by an employer to an indi-
vidual for a period during which the individual is perform-
ing service in the uniformed services while on active duty
for a period of more than 30 days and represent all or a
portion of the wages the individual would have received
from the employer if the individual were performing serv-
ices for the employer.
Differential wage payments are wages for income tax
withholding, but aren't subject to social security, Medi-
care, or FUTA taxes. Employers should report differential
wage payments in box 1 of Form W-2. For more informa-
tion about the tax treatment of differential wage payments,
visit IRS.gov and enter “employees in a combat zone” in
the search box.
Fringe benefits. You generally must include fringe bene-
fits in an employee's gross income (but see Nontaxable
fringe benefits next). The benefits are subject to income
tax withholding and employment taxes. Fringe benefits in-
clude cars you provide, flights on aircraft you provide, free
or discounted commercial flights, vacations, discounts on
property or services, memberships in country clubs or
other social clubs, and tickets to entertainment or sporting
events. In general, the amount you must include is the
amount by which the fair market value of the benefit is
more than the sum of what the employee paid for it plus
any amount the law excludes. There are other special
rules you and your employees may use to value certain
fringe benefits. See Pub. 15-B for more information.
Nontaxable fringe benefits. Some fringe benefits
aren't taxable (or are minimally taxable) if certain condi-
tions are met. See Pub. 15-B for details. The following are
some examples of nontaxable fringe benefits.
1. Services provided to your employees at no additional
cost to you.
2. Qualified employee discounts.
3. Working condition fringes that are property or serv-
ices the employee could deduct as a business ex-
pense if he or she had paid for them. Examples in-
clude a company car for business use and
subscriptions to business magazines.
4. Certain minimal value fringes (including an occasional
cab ride when an employee must work overtime and
meals you provide at eating places you run for your
employees if the meals aren't furnished at below
cost).
Page 16 Publication 15 (2017)
5. Qualified transportation fringes subject to specified
conditions and dollar limitations (including transporta-
tion in a commuter highway vehicle, any transit pass,
and qualified parking).
6. Qualified moving expense reimbursement. See Mov-
ing expenses, earlier in this section, for details.
7. The use of on-premises athletic facilities operated by
you, if substantially all of the use is by employees,
their spouses, and their dependent children.
8. Qualified tuition reduction an educational organization
provides to its employees for education. For more in-
formation, see Pub. 970.
9. Employer-provided cell phones provided primarily for
a noncompensatory business reason.
However, don't exclude the following fringe benefits
from the income of highly compensated employees unless
the benefit is available to other employees on a nondiscri-
minatory basis.
No-additional-cost services.
Qualified employee discounts.
Meals provided at an employer operated eating fa-
cility.
Reduced tuition for education.
For more information, including the definition of a highly
compensated employee, see Pub. 15-B.
When fringe benefits are treated as paid. You may
choose to treat certain noncash fringe benefits as paid by
the pay period, by the quarter, or on any other basis you
choose as long as you treat the benefits as paid at least
once a year. You don't have to make a formal choice of
payment dates or notify the IRS of the dates you choose.
You don't have to make this choice for all employees. You
may change methods as often as you like, as long as you
treat all benefits provided in a calendar year as paid by
December 31 of the calendar year. See Pub. 15-B for
more information, including a discussion of the special ac-
counting rule for fringe benefits provided during Novem-
ber and December.
Valuation of fringe benefits. Generally, you must de-
termine the value of fringe benefits no later than January
31 of the next year. Before January 31, you may reasona-
bly estimate the value of the fringe benefits for purposes
of withholding and depositing on time.
Withholding on fringe benefits. You may add the
value of fringe benefits to regular wages for a payroll pe-
riod and figure withholding taxes on the total, or you may
withhold federal income tax on the value of the fringe ben-
efits at the optional flat 25% supplemental wage rate.
However, see Withholding on supplemental wages when
an employee receives more than $1 million of supplemen-
tal wages during the calendar year in section 7.
You may choose not to withhold income tax on the
value of an employee's personal use of a vehicle you pro-
vide. You must, however, withhold social security and
Medicare taxes on the use of the vehicle. See Pub. 15-B
for more information on this election.
Depositing taxes on fringe benefits. Once you
choose when fringe benefits are paid, you must deposit
taxes in the same deposit period you treat the fringe bene-
fits as paid. To avoid a penalty, deposit the taxes following
the general deposit rules for that deposit period.
If you determine by January 31 you overestimated the
value of a fringe benefit at the time you withheld and de-
posited for it, you may claim a refund for the overpayment
or have it applied to your next employment tax return. See
Valuation of fringe benefits above. If you underestimated
the value and deposited too little, you may be subject to a
failure-to-deposit (FTD) penalty. See section 11 for infor-
mation on deposit penalties.
If you deposited the required amount of taxes but with-
held a lesser amount from the employee, you can recover
from the employee the social security, Medicare, or in-
come taxes you deposited on his or her behalf, and inclu-
ded in the employee's Form W-2. However, you must re-
cover the income taxes before April 1 of the following
year.
Sick pay. In general, sick pay is any amount you pay un-
der a plan to an employee who is unable to work because
of sickness or injury. These amounts are sometimes paid
by a third party, such as an insurance company or an em-
ployees' trust. In either case, these payments are subject
to social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes. These
taxes don't apply to sick pay paid more than 6 calendar
months after the last calendar month in which the em-
ployee worked for the employer. The payments are al-
ways subject to federal income tax. See Pub. 15-A for
more information.
6. Tips
Tips your employee receives from customers are gener-
ally subject to withholding. Your employee must report
cash tips to you by the 10th of the month after the month
the tips are received. The report should include tips you
paid over to the employee for charge customers, tips the
employee received directly from customers, and tips re-
ceived from other employees under any tip-sharing ar-
rangement. Both directly and indirectly tipped employees
must report tips to you. No report is required for months
when tips are less than $20. Your employee reports the
tips on Form 4070 or on a similar statement. The state-
ment must be signed by the employee and must include:
The employee's name, address, and SSN,
Your name and address,
The month and year (or the beginning and ending
dates, if the statement is for a period of less than 1
calendar month) the report covers, and
The total of tips received during the month or period.
Publication 15 (2017) Page 17
Both Forms 4070 and 4070-A, Employee's Daily Re-
cord of Tips, are included in Pub. 1244, Employee's Daily
Record of Tips and Report to Employer.
You’re permitted to establish a system for elec-
tronic tip reporting by employees. See Regula-
tions section 31.6053-1(d).
Collecting taxes on tips. You must collect income tax,
employee social security tax, and employee Medicare tax
on the employee's tips. The withholding rules for withhold-
ing an employee's share of Medicare tax on tips also ap-
ply to withholding the Additional Medicare Tax once wa-
ges and tips exceed $200,000 in the calendar year.
You can collect these taxes from the employee's wages
or from other funds he or she makes available. See Tips
treated as supplemental wages in section 7 for more infor-
mation. Stop collecting the employee social security tax
when his or her wages and tips for tax year 2017 reach
$127,200; collect the income and employee Medicare
taxes for the whole year on all wages and tips. You’re re-
sponsible for the employer social security tax on wages
and tips until the wages (including tips) reach the limit.
You’re responsible for the employer Medicare tax for the
whole year on all wages and tips. File Form 941 or Form
944 to report withholding and employment taxes on tips.
Ordering rule. If, by the 10th of the month after the
month for which you received an employee's report on
tips, you don't have enough employee funds available to
deduct the employee tax, you no longer have to collect it.
If there aren't enough funds available, withhold taxes in
the following order.
1. Withhold on regular wages and other compensation.
2. Withhold social security and Medicare taxes on tips.
3. Withhold income tax on tips.
Reporting tips. Report tips and any collected and uncol-
lected social security and Medicare taxes on Form W-2
and on Form 941, lines 5b, 5c, and 5d (Form 944, lines
4b, 4c, and 4d). Report an adjustment on Form 941, line 9
(Form 944, line 6), for the uncollected social security and
Medicare taxes. Enter the amount of uncollected social
security tax and Medicare tax on Form W-2, box 12, with
codes “A” and “B.” Don't include any uncollected Addi-
tional Medicare Tax in box 12 of Form W-2. For additional
information on reporting tips, see section 13 and the Gen-
eral Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3.
Revenue Ruling 2012-18 provides guidance for em-
ployers regarding social security and Medicare taxes im-
posed on tips, including information on the reporting of the
employer share of social security and Medicare taxes un-
der section 3121(q), the difference between tips and serv-
ice charges, and the section 45B credit. See Revenue
Ruling 2012-18, 2012-26 I.R.B. 1032, available at
IRS.gov/irb/2012-26_IRB/ar07.html.
FUTA tax on tips. If an employee reports to you in writ-
ing $20 or more of tips in a month, the tips are also subject
to FUTA tax.TIP
Allocated tips. If you operate a large food or beverage
establishment, you must report allocated tips under cer-
tain circumstances. However, don't withhold income, so-
cial security, or Medicare taxes on allocated tips.
A large food or beverage establishment is one that pro-
vides food or beverages for consumption on the premises,
where tipping is customary, and where there were nor-
mally more than 10 employees on a typical business day
during the preceding year.
The tips may be allocated by one of three meth-
ods—hours worked, gross receipts, or good faith agree-
ment. For information about these allocation methods, in-
cluding the requirement to file Forms 8027 electronically if
250 or more forms are filed, see the Instructions for Form
8027. For information on filing Form 8027 electronically
with the IRS, see Pub. 1239.
Tip Rate Determination and Education Program. Em-
ployers may participate in the Tip Rate Determination and
Education Program. The program primarily consists of two
voluntary agreements developed to improve tip income
reporting by helping taxpayers to understand and meet
their tip reporting responsibilities. The two agreements are
the Tip Rate Determination Agreement (TRDA) and the
Tip Reporting Alternative Commitment (TRAC). A tip
agreement, the Gaming Industry Tip Compliance Agree-
ment (GITCA), is available for the gaming (casino) indus-
try. To get more information about TRDA and TRAC
agreements, see Pub. 3144. Additionally, visit IRS.gov
and enter “MSU tips” in the search box to get more infor-
mation about GITCA, TRDA, or TRAC agreements.
7. Supplemental Wages
Supplemental wages are wage payments to an employee
that aren't regular wages. They include, but aren't limited
to, bonuses, commissions, overtime pay, payments for
accumulated sick leave, severance pay, awards, prizes,
back pay, retroactive pay increases, and payments for
nondeductible moving expenses. Other payments subject
to the supplemental wage rules include taxable fringe
benefits and expense allowances paid under a nonac-
countable plan. How you withhold on supplemental wages
depends on whether the supplemental payment is identi-
fied as a separate payment from regular wages. See Reg-
ulations section 31.3402(g)-1 for additional guidance for
wages paid after January 1, 2007. Also see Revenue Rul-
ing 2008-29, 2008-24 I.R.B. 1149, available at IRS.gov/
irb/2008-24_IRB/ar08.html.
Withholding on supplemental wages when an em
ployee receives more than $1 million of supplemen
tal wages from you during the calendar year. Special
rules apply to the extent supplemental wages paid to any
one employee during the calendar year exceed $1 million.
If a supplemental wage payment, together with other sup-
plemental wage payments made to the employee during
the calendar year, exceeds $1 million, the excess is sub-
ject to withholding at 39.6% (or the highest rate of income
tax for the year). Withhold using the 39.6% rate without
Page 18 Publication 15 (2017)
regard to the employee's Form W-4. In determining sup-
plemental wages paid to the employee during the year, in-
clude payments from all businesses under common con-
trol. For more information, see Treasury Decision 9276,
2006-37 I.R.B. 423, available at IRS.gov/irb/2006-37_IRB/
ar09.html.
Withholding on supplemental wage payments to an
employee who doesn't receive $1 million of supple
mental wages during the calendar year. If the supple-
mental wages paid to the employee during the calendar
year are less than or equal to $1 million, the following
rules apply in determining the amount of income tax to be
withheld.
Supplemental wages combined with regular wages.
If you pay supplemental wages with regular wages but
don't specify the amount of each, withhold federal income
tax as if the total were a single payment for a regular pay-
roll period.
Supplemental wages identified separately from regu
lar wages. If you pay supplemental wages separately (or
combine them in a single payment and specify the amount
of each), the federal income tax withholding method de-
pends partly on whether you withhold income tax from
your employee's regular wages.
1. If you withheld income tax from an employee's regular
wages in the current or immediately preceding calen-
dar year, you can use one of the following methods
for the supplemental wages.
a. Withhold a flat 25% (no other percentage al-
lowed).
b. If the supplemental wages are paid concurrently
with regular wages, add the supplemental wages
to the concurrently paid regular wages. If there are
no concurrently paid regular wages, add the sup-
plemental wages to, alternatively, either the regu-
lar wages paid or to be paid for the current payroll
period or the regular wages paid for the preceding
payroll period. Figure the income tax withholding
as if the total of the regular wages and supplemen-
tal wages is a single payment. Subtract the tax
withheld from the regular wages. Withhold the re-
maining tax from the supplemental wages. If there
were other payments of supplemental wages paid
during the payroll period made before the current
payment of supplemental wages, aggregate all the
payments of supplemental wages paid during the
payroll period with the regular wages paid during
the payroll period, calculate the tax on the total,
subtract the tax already withheld from the regular
wages and the previous supplemental wage pay-
ments, and withhold the remaining tax.
2. If you didn't withhold income tax from the employee's
regular wages in the current or immediately preceding
calendar year, use method 1-b. This would occur, for
example, when the value of the employee's withhold-
ing allowances claimed on Form W-4 is more than the
wages.
Regardless of the method you use to withhold income tax
on supplemental wages, they’re subject to social security,
Medicare, and FUTA taxes.
Example 1. You pay John Peters a base salary on the
1st of each month. He is single and claims one withhold-
ing allowance. In January he is paid $1,000. Using the
wage bracket tables, you withhold $49 from this amount.
In February, he receives salary of $1,000 plus a commis-
sion of $2,000, which you combine with regular wages
and don't separately identify. You figure the withholding
based on the total of $3,000. The correct withholding from
the tables is $335.
Example 2. You pay Sharon Warren a base salary on
the 1st of each month. She is single and claims one allow-
ance. Her May 1 pay is $2,000. Using the wage bracket
tables, you withhold $185. On May 15 she receives a bo-
nus of $1,000. Electing to use supplemental wage with-
holding method 1-b, you:
1. Add the bonus amount to the amount of wages from
the most recent base salary pay date (May 1) ($2,000
+ $1,000 = $3,000).
2. Determine the amount of withholding on the com-
bined $3,000 amount to be $335 using the wage
bracket tables.
3. Subtract the amount withheld from wages on the most
recent base salary pay date (May 1) from the com-
bined withholding amount ($335 – $185 = $150).
4. Withhold $150 from the bonus payment.
Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 2,
except you elect to use the flat rate method of withholding
on the bonus. You withhold 25% of $1,000, or $250, from
Sharon's bonus payment.
Example 4. The facts are the same as in Example 2,
except you elect to pay Sharon a second bonus of $2,000
on May 29. Using supplemental wage withholding method
1-b, you:
1. Add the first and second bonus amounts to the
amount of wages from the most recent base salary
pay date (May 1) ($2,000 + $1,000 + $2,000 =
$5,000).
2. Determine the amount of withholding on the com-
bined $5,000 amount to be $768 using the wage
bracket tables.
3. Subtract the amounts withheld from wages on the
most recent base salary pay date (May 1) and the
amounts withheld from the first bonus payment from
the combined withholding amount ($768 – $185 –
$150 = $433).
4. Withhold $433 from the second bonus payment.
Tips treated as supplemental wages. Withhold income
tax on tips from wages earned by the employee or from
other funds the employee makes available. If an employee
receives regular wages and reports tips, figure income tax
Publication 15 (2017) Page 19
withholding as if the tips were supplemental wages. If you
haven't withheld income tax from the regular wages, add
the tips to the regular wages. Then withhold income tax on
the total. If you withheld income tax from the regular wa-
ges, you can withhold on the tips by method 1-a or 1-b
discussed earlier in this section under Supplemental wa-
ges identified separately from regular wages.
Vacation pay. Vacation pay is subject to withholding as if
it were a regular wage payment. When vacation pay is in
addition to regular wages for the vacation period, treat it
as a supplemental wage payment. If the vacation pay is
for a time longer than your usual payroll period, spread it
over the pay periods for which you pay it.
8. Payroll Period
Your payroll period is a period of service for which you
usually pay wages. When you have a regular payroll pe-
riod, withhold income tax for that time period even if your
employee doesn't work the full period.
No regular payroll period. When you don't have a regu-
lar payroll period, withhold the tax as if you paid wages for
a daily or miscellaneous payroll period. Figure the number
of days (including Sundays and holidays) in the period
covered by the wage payment. If the wages are unrelated
to a specific length of time (for example, commissions
paid on completion of a sale), count back the number of
days from the payment period to the latest of:
The last wage payment made during the same calen-
dar year,
The date employment began, if during the same cal-
endar year, or
January 1 of the same year.
Employee paid for period less than 1 week. When
you pay an employee for a period of less than one week,
and the employee signs a statement under penalties of
perjury indicating he or she isn't working for any other em-
ployer during the same week for wages subject to with-
holding, figure withholding based on a weekly payroll pe-
riod. If the employee later begins to work for another
employer for wages subject to withholding, the employee
must notify you within 10 days. You then figure withhold-
ing based on the daily or miscellaneous period.
9. Withholding From
Employees' Wages
Income Tax Withholding
Using Form W4 to figure withholding. To know how
much federal income tax to withhold from employees' wa-
ges, you should have a Form W-4 on file for each em-
ployee. Encourage your employees to file an updated
Form W-4 for 2017, especially if they owed taxes or re-
ceived a large refund when filing their 2016 tax return. Ad-
vise your employees to use the IRS Withholding Calcula-
tor on the IRS website at IRS.gov/w4app for help in
determining how many withholding allowances to claim on
their Forms W-4.
Ask all new employees to give you a signed Form W-4
when they start work. Make the form effective with the first
wage payment. If a new employee doesn't give you a
completed Form W-4, withhold income tax as if he or she
is single, with no withholding allowances.
Form in Spanish. You can provide Formulario
W-4(SP) in place of Form W-4, to your Spanish-speaking
employees. For more information, see Pub. 17(SP). The
rules discussed in this section that apply to Form W-4 also
apply to Formulario W-4(SP).
Electronic system to receive Form W4. You may
establish a system to electronically receive Forms W-4
from your employees. See Regulations section 31.3402(f)
(5)-1(c) for more information.
Effective date of Form W4. A Form W-4 remains in
effect until the employee gives you a new one. When you
receive a new Form W-4 from an employee, don't adjust
withholding for pay periods before the effective date of the
new form. If an employee gives you a Form W-4 that re-
places an existing Form W-4, begin withholding no later
than the start of the first payroll period ending on or after
the 30th day from the date when you received the replace-
ment Form W-4. For exceptions, see Exemption from fed-
eral income tax withholding, IRS review of requested
Forms W-4, and Invalid Forms W-4, later in this section.
A Form W-4 that makes a change for the next cal-
endar year won't take effect in the current calen-
dar year.
Successor employer. If you’re a successor employer
(see Successor employer, later in this section), secure
new Forms W-4 from the transferred employees unless
the “Alternative Procedure” in section 5 of Revenue Pro-
cedure 2004-53 applies. See Revenue Procedure
2004-53, 2004-34 I.R.B. 320, available at IRS.gov/irb/
2004-34_IRB/ar13.html.
Completing Form W4. The amount of any federal in-
come tax withholding must be based on marital status and
withholding allowances. Your employees may not base
their withholding amounts on a fixed dollar amount or per-
centage. However, an employee may specify a dollar
amount to be withheld in addition to the amount of with-
holding based on filing status and withholding allowances
claimed on Form W-4.
Employees may claim fewer withholding allowances than
they’re entitled to claim. They may wish to claim fewer al-
lowances to ensure they have enough withholding or to
offset the tax on other sources of taxable income not sub-
ject to withholding.
See Pub. 505 for more information about completing
Form W-4. Along with Form W-4, you may wish to order
Pub. 505 for use by your employees.CAUTION
!
Page 20 Publication 15 (2017)
Don't accept any withholding or estimated tax pay-
ments from your employees in addition to withholding
based on their Form W-4. If they require additional with-
holding, they should submit a new Form W-4 and, if nec-
essary, pay estimated tax by filing Form 1040-ES or by
using EFTPS to make estimated tax payments.
Exemption from federal income tax withholding.
Generally, an employee may claim exemption from fed-
eral income tax withholding because he or she had no in-
come tax liability last year and expects none this year.
See the Form W-4 instructions for more information. How-
ever, the wages are still subject to social security and
Medicare taxes. See also Invalid Forms W-4, later in this
section.
A Form W-4 claiming exemption from withholding is ef-
fective when it is filed with the employer and only for that
calendar year. To continue to be exempt from withholding
in the next calendar year, an employee must give you a
new Form W-4 by February 15. If the employee doesn't
give you a new Form W-4 by February 15, begin withhold-
ing based on the last Form W-4 for the employee that
didn't claim an exemption from withholding or, if one
wasn't furnished, then withhold tax as if he or she is single
with zero withholding allowances. If the employee pro-
vides a new Form W-4 claiming exemption from withhold-
ing on February 16 or later, you may apply it to future wa-
ges but don't refund any taxes withheld while the exempt
status wasn’t in place.
Withholding income taxes on the wages of nonresi
dent alien employees. In general, you must withhold
federal income taxes on the wages of nonresident alien
employees. However, see Pub. 515 for exceptions to this
general rule. Also see section 3 of Pub. 51 for guidance
on H-2A visa workers.
Withholding adjustment for nonresident alien em
ployees. Apply the procedure discussed next to figure
the amount of income tax to withhold from the wages of
nonresident alien employees performing services within
the United States.
Nonresident alien students from India and busi-
ness apprentices from India aren't subject to this
procedure.
Instructions. To figure how much income tax to with-
hold from the wages paid to a nonresident alien employee
performing services in the United States, use the following
steps.
Step 1. Add to the wages paid to the nonresident alien
employee for the payroll period the amount shown in the
chart next for the applicable payroll period.TIP
Amount to Add to Nonresident Alien
Employee's Wages for Calculating Income
Tax Withholding Only
Payroll Period Add Additional
Weekly $ 44.20
Biweekly 88.50
Semimonthly 95.80
Monthly 191.70
Quarterly 575.00
Semiannually 1,150.00
Annually 2,300.00
Daily or Miscellaneous (each
day of the payroll period)
8.80
Step 2. Use the amount figured in Step 1 and the num-
ber of withholding allowances claimed (generally limited to
one allowance) to figure income tax withholding. Deter-
mine the value of withholding allowances by multiplying
the number of withholding allowances claimed by the ap-
propriate amount from Table 5 shown on page 43. If
you’re using the Percentage Method Tables for Income
Tax Withholding, provided on pages 45–46, reduce the
amount figured in Step 1 by the value of withholding allow-
ances and use that reduced amount to figure the income
tax withholding. If you’re using the Wage Bracket Method
Tables for Income Tax Withholding, provided on pages
47–66, use the amount figured in Step 1 and the number
of withholding allowances to figure income tax withhold-
ing.
The amounts from the chart above are added to wages
solely for calculating income tax withholding on the wages
of the nonresident alien employee. The amounts from the
chart shouldn't be included in any box on the employee's
Form W-2 and don't increase the income tax liability of the
employee. Also, the amounts from the chart don't increase
the social security tax or Medicare tax liability of the em-
ployer or the employee, or the FUTA tax liability of the em-
ployer.
This procedure only applies to nonresident alien em-
ployees who have wages subject to income tax withhold-
ing.
Example. An employer using the percentage method
of withholding pays wages of $500 for a biweekly payroll
period to a married nonresident alien employee. The non-
resident alien has properly completed Form W-4, entering
marital status as “single” with one withholding allowance
and indicating status as a nonresident alien on Form W-4,
line 6 (see Nonresident alien employee's Form W-4, later
in this section). The employer determines the wages to be
used in the withholding tables by adding to the $500
amount of wages paid the amount of $88.50 from the
chart under Step 1 ($588.50 total). The employer then ap-
plies the applicable tables to determine the income tax
withholding for nonresident aliens (see Step 2).
Publication 15 (2017) Page 21
If you use the Percentage Method Tables for In-
come Tax Withholding, reduce the amount figured
in Step 1 by the value of withholding allowances
and use that reduced amount to figure income tax with-
holding.
The $88.50 added to wages for calculating income tax
withholding isn't reported on Form W-2, and doesn't in-
crease the income tax liability of the employee. Also, the
$88.50 added to wages doesn't affect the social security
tax or Medicare tax liability of the employer or the em-
ployee, or the FUTA tax liability of the employer.
Supplemental wage payment. This procedure for
determining the amount of income tax withholding doesn't
apply to a supplemental wage payment (see section 7) if
the 39.6% mandatory flat rate withholding applies or if the
25% optional flat rate withholding is being used to calcu-
late income tax withholding on the supplemental wage
payment.
Nonresident alien employee's Form W4. When com-
pleting Forms W-4, nonresident aliens are required to:
Not claim exemption from income tax withholding,
Request withholding as if they’re single, regardless of
their actual marital status,
Claim only one allowance (if the nonresident alien is a
resident of Canada, Mexico, or South Korea, or a stu-
dent or business apprentice from India, he or she may
claim more than one allowance), and
Write “Nonresident Alien” or “NRA” above the dotted
line on line 6 of Form W-4.
If you maintain an electronic Form W-4 system, you
should provide a field for nonresident aliens to enter non-
resident alien status instead of writing “Nonresident Alien”
or “NRA” above the dotted line on line 6.
A nonresident alien employee may request addi-
tional withholding at his or her option for other
purposes, although such additions shouldn't be
necessary for withholding to cover federal income tax lia-
bility related to employment.
Form 8233. If a nonresident alien employee claims a
tax treaty exemption from withholding, the employee must
submit Form 8233 with respect to the income exempt un-
der the treaty, instead of Form W-4. For more information,
see Pay for Personal Services Performed in the Withhold-
ing on Specific Income section of Pub. 515 and the In-
structions for Form 8233.
IRS review of requested Forms W4. When requested
by the IRS, you must make original Forms W-4 available
for inspection by an IRS employee. You may also be di-
rected to send certain Forms W-4 to the IRS. You may re-
ceive a notice from the IRS requiring you to submit a copy
of Form W-4 for one or more of your named employees.
Send the requested copy or copies of Form W-4 to the
IRS at the address provided and in the manner directed
by the notice. The IRS may also require you to submit
copies of Form W-4 to the IRS as directed by TreasuryCAUTION
!TIP
Decision 9337, 2007-35 I.R.B. 455, which is available at
IRS.gov/irb/2007-35_IRB/ar10.html. When we refer to
Form W-4, the same rules apply to Formulario W-4(SP),
its Spanish translation.
After submitting a copy of a requested Form W-4 to the
IRS, continue to withhold federal income tax based on
that Form W-4 if it is valid (see Invalid Forms W-4, later in
this section). However, if the IRS later notifies you in writ-
ing the employee isn't entitled to claim exemption from
withholding or a claimed number of withholding allowan-
ces, withhold federal income tax based on the effective
date, marital status, and maximum number of withholding
allowances specified in the IRS notice (commonly referred
to as a "lock-in letter").
Initial lockin letter. The IRS uses information repor-
ted on Form W-2 to identify employees with withholding
compliance problems. In some cases, if a serious under-
withholding problem is found to exist for a particular em-
ployee, the IRS may issue a lock-in letter to the employer
specifying the maximum number of withholding allowan-
ces and marital status permitted for a specific employee.
You’ll also receive a copy for the employee that identifies
the maximum number of withholding allowances and mari-
tal status permitted and the process by which the em-
ployee can provide additional information to the IRS for
purposes of determining the appropriate number of with-
holding allowances and/or modifying the specified marital
status. You must furnish the employee copy to the em-
ployee within 10 business days of receipt if the employee
is employed by you as of the date of the notice. Begin
withholding based on the notice on the date specified in
the notice.
Implementation of lockin letter. When you receive
the notice specifying the maximum number of withholding
allowances and marital status permitted, you may not
withhold immediately on the basis of the notice. You must
begin withholding tax on the basis of the notice for any
wages paid after the date specified in the notice. The de-
lay between your receipt of the notice and the date to be-
gin the withholding on the basis of the notice permits the
employee time to contact the IRS.
Employee not performing services. If you receive a
notice for an employee who isn't performing services for
you, you must still furnish the employee copy to the em-
ployee and withhold based on the notice if any of the fol-
lowing apply.
You’re paying wages for the employee's prior services
and the wages are subject to income tax withholding
on or after the date specified in the notice.
You reasonably expect the employee to resume serv-
ices within 12 months of the date of the notice.
The employee is on a leave of absence that doesn't
exceed 12 months or the employee has a right to re-
employment after the leave of absence.
Termination and rehire of employees. If you must
furnish and withhold based on the notice and the employ-
ment relationship is terminated after the date of the notice,
you must continue to withhold based on the notice if you
Page 22 Publication 15 (2017)
continue to pay any wages subject to income tax withhold-
ing. You must also withhold based on the notice or modifi-
cation notice (explained next) if the employee resumes
the employment relationship with you within 12 months af-
ter the termination of the employment relationship.
Modification notice. After issuing the notice specify-
ing the maximum number of withholding allowances and
marital status permitted, the IRS may issue a subsequent
notice (modification notice) that modifies the original no-
tice. The modification notice may change the marital sta-
tus and/or the number of withholding allowances permit-
ted. You must withhold federal income tax based on the
effective date specified in the modification notice.
New Form W4 after IRS notice. After the IRS issues
a notice or modification notice, if the employee provides
you with a new Form W-4 claiming complete exemption
from withholding or claims a marital status, a number of
withholding allowances, and any additional withholding
that results in less withholding than would result under the
IRS notice or modification notice, disregard the new Form
W-4. You must withhold based on the notice or modifica-
tion notice unless the IRS notifies you to withhold based
on the new Form W-4. If the employee wants to put a new
Form W-4 into effect that results in less withholding than
required, the employee must contact the IRS.
If, after you receive an IRS notice or modification no-
tice, your employee gives you a new Form W-4 that
doesn't claim exemption from federal income tax withhold-
ing and claims a marital status, a number of withholding
allowances, and any additional withholding that results in
more withholding than would result under the notice or
modification notice, you must withhold tax based on the
new Form W-4. Otherwise, disregard any subsequent
Forms W-4 provided by the employee and withhold based
on the IRS notice or modification notice.
For additional information about these rules, see Treas-
ury Decision 9337, 2007-35 I.R.B. 455, available at
IRS.gov/irb/2007-35_IRB/ar10.html.
Substitute Forms W4. You’re encouraged to have your
employees use the official version of Form W-4 to claim
withholding allowances or exemption from withholding.
You may use a substitute version of Form W-4 to meet
your business needs. However, your substitute Form W-4
must contain language that is identical to the official Form
W-4 and your form must meet all current IRS rules for sub-
stitute forms. At the time you provide your substitute form
to the employee, you must provide him or her with all ta-
bles, instructions, and worksheets from the current Form
W-4.
You can't accept substitute Forms W-4 developed by
employees. An employee who submits an employee-de-
veloped substitute Form W-4 after October 10, 2007, will
be treated as failing to furnish a Form W-4. However, con-
tinue to honor any valid employee-developed Forms W-4
you accepted before October 11, 2007.
Invalid Forms W4. Any unauthorized change or addi-
tion to Form W-4 makes it invalid. This includes taking out
any language by which the employee certifies the form is
correct. A Form W-4 is also invalid if, by the date an em-
ployee gives it to you, he or she indicates in any way it is
false. An employee who submits a false Form W-4 may be
subject to a $500 penalty. You may treat a Form W-4 as
invalid if the employee wrote “exempt” on line 7 and also
entered a number on line 5 or an amount on line 6.
When you get an invalid Form W-4, don't use it to figure
federal income tax withholding. Tell the employee it is in-
valid and ask for another one. If the employee doesn't give
you a valid one, withhold tax as if the employee is single
with zero withholding allowances. However, if you have an
earlier Form W-4 for this worker that is valid, withhold as
you did before.
Amounts exempt from levy on wages, salary, and
other income. If you receive a Notice of Levy on Wages,
Salary, and Other Income (Forms 668-W(ACS), 668-W(c)
(DO), or 668-W(ICS)), you must withhold amounts as de-
scribed in the instructions for these forms. Pub. 1494 has
tables to figure the amount exempt from levy. If a levy is-
sued in a prior year is still in effect and the taxpayer sub-
mits a new Statement of Exemptions and Filing Status,
use the current year Pub. 1494 to figure the exempt
amount.
Social Security and Medicare Taxes
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) provides
for a federal system of old-age, survivors, disability, and
hospital insurance. The old-age, survivors, and disability
insurance part is financed by the social security tax. The
hospital insurance part is financed by the Medicare tax.
Each of these taxes is reported separately.
Generally, you’re required to withhold social security
and Medicare taxes from your employees' wages and pay
the employer's share of these taxes. Certain types of wa-
ges and compensation aren't subject to social security
and Medicare taxes. See section 5 and section 15 for de-
tails. Generally, employee wages are subject to social se-
curity and Medicare taxes regardless of the employee's
age or whether he or she is receiving social security bene-
fits. If the employee reported tips, see section 6.
Tax rates and the social security wage base limit.
Social security and Medicare taxes have different rates
and only the social security tax has a wage base limit. The
wage base limit is the maximum wage subject to the tax
for the year. Determine the amount of withholding for so-
cial security and Medicare taxes by multiplying each pay-
ment by the employee tax rate. There are no withholding
allowances for social security and Medicare taxes.
For 2017, the social security tax rate is 6.2% (amount
withheld) each for the employer and employee (12.4% to-
tal). The social security wage base limit is $127,200. The
tax rate for Medicare is 1.45% (amount withheld) each for
the employee and employer (2.9% total). There is no
wage base limit for Medicare tax; all covered wages are
subject to Medicare tax.
Additional Medicare Tax withholding. In addition to
withholding Medicare tax at 1.45%, you must withhold a
Publication 15 (2017) Page 23
0.9% Additional Medicare Tax from wages you pay to an
employee in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year.
You’re required to begin withholding Additional Medicare
Tax in the pay period in which you pay wages in excess of
$200,000 to an employee and continue to withhold it each
pay period until the end of the calendar year. Additional
Medicare Tax is only imposed on the employee. There is
no employer share of Additional Medicare Tax. All wages
that are subject to Medicare tax are subject to Additional
Medicare Tax withholding if paid in excess of the
$200,000 withholding threshold.
For more information on what wages are subject to
Medicare tax, see section 15. For more information on Ad-
ditional Medicare Tax, visit IRS.gov and enter “Additional
Medicare Tax” in the search box.
Successor employer. When corporate acquisitions
meet certain requirements, wages paid by the predeces-
sor are treated as if paid by the successor for purposes of
applying the social security wage base and for applying
the Additional Medicare Tax withholding threshold (that is,
$200,000 in a calendar year). You should determine
whether or not you should file Schedule D (Form 941), Re-
port of Discrepancies Caused by Acquisitions, Statutory
Mergers, or Consolidations, by reviewing the Instructions
for Schedule D (Form 941). See Regulations section
31.3121(a)(1)-1(b) for more information. Also see Reve-
nue Procedure 2004-53, 2004-34 I.R.B. 320, available at
IRS.gov/irb/2004-34_IRB/ar13.html.
Example. Early in 2017, you bought all of the assets of
a plumbing business from Mr. Martin. Mr. Brown, who had
been employed by Mr. Martin and received $2,000 in wa-
ges before the date of purchase, continued to work for
you. The wages you paid to Mr. Brown are subject to so-
cial security taxes on the first $125,200 ($127,200 minus
$2,000). Medicare tax is due on all of the wages you pay
him during the calendar year. You should include the
$2,000 Mr. Brown received while employed by Mr. Martin
in determining whether Mr. Brown's wages exceed the
$200,000 for Additional Medicare Tax withholding thresh-
old.
Motion picture project employers. All wages paid by a
motion picture project employer to a motion picture project
worker during a calendar year are subject to a single so-
cial security tax wage base ($127,200 for 2017) and a sin-
gle FUTA tax wage base ($7,000 for 2017) regardless of
the worker's status as a common law employee of multiple
clients of the motion picture project employer. For more
information, including the definition of a motion picture
project employer and motion picture project worker, see
Internal Revenue Code section 3512.
Withholding social security and Medicare taxes on
nonresident alien employees. In general, if you pay
wages to nonresident alien employees, you must withhold
social security and Medicare taxes as you would for a
U.S. citizen or resident alien. However, see Pub. 515 for
exceptions to this general rule.
International social security agreements. The United
States has social security agreements, also known as to-
talization agreements, with many countries that eliminate
dual taxation and dual coverage. Compensation subject to
social security and Medicare taxes may be exempt under
one of these agreements. You can get more information
and a list of agreement countries from the SSA at
socialsecurity.gov/international or see section 7 of Pub.
15-A.
Religious exemption. An exemption from social security
and Medicare taxes is available to members of a recog-
nized religious sect opposed to insurance. This exemption
is available only if both the employee and the employer
are members of the sect. For more information, see Pub.
517.
Foreign persons treated as American employers.
Under IRC section 3121(z), for services performed after
July 31, 2008, a foreign person who meets both of the fol-
lowing conditions is generally treated as an American em-
ployer for purposes of paying FICA taxes on wages paid
to an employee who is a United States citizen or resident.
1. The foreign person is a member of a domestically
controlled group of entities.
2. The employee of the foreign person performs serv-
ices in connection with a contract between the U.S.
Government (or an instrumentality of the U.S. Govern-
ment) and any member of the domestically controlled
group of entities. Ownership of more than 50% consti-
tutes control.
PartTime Workers
Part-time workers and workers hired for short periods of
time are treated the same as full-time employees, for fed-
eral income tax withholding and social security, Medicare,
and FUTA tax purposes.
Generally, it doesn't matter whether the part-time
worker or worker hired for a short period of time has an-
other job or has the maximum amount of social security
tax withheld by another employer. See Successor em-
ployer above for an exception to this rule.
Income tax withholding may be figured the same way
as for full-time workers or it may be figured by the
part-year employment method explained in section 9 of
Pub. 15-A.
10. Required Notice to
Employees About the Earned
Income Credit (EIC)
You must notify employees who have no federal income
tax withheld that they may be able to claim a tax refund
because of the EIC. Although you don't have to notify em-
ployees who claim exemption from withholding on Form
Page 24 Publication 15 (2017)
W-4 about the EIC, you’re encouraged to notify any em-
ployees whose wages for 2016 were less than $47,955
($53,505 if married filing jointly) that they may be eligible
to claim the credit for 2016. This is because eligible em-
ployees may get a refund of the amount of EIC that is
more than the tax they owe.
You’ll meet this notification requirement if you issue the
employee Form W-2 with the EIC notice on the back of
Copy B, or a substitute Form W-2 with the same state-
ment. You’ll also meet the requirement by providing No-
tice 797, Possible Federal Tax Refund Due to the Earned
Income Credit (EIC), or your own statement that contains
the same wording.
If a substitute for Form W-2 is given to the employee on
time but doesn't have the required statement, you must
notify the employee within 1 week of the date the substi-
tute for Form W-2 is given. If Form W-2 is required but isn't
given on time, you must give the employee Notice 797 or
your written statement by the date Form W-2 is required to
be given. If Form W-2 isn't required, you must notify the
employee by February 7, 2017.
11. Depositing Taxes
Generally, you must deposit federal income tax withheld
and both the employer and employee social security and
Medicare taxes. You must use EFT to make all federal tax
deposits. See How To Deposit, later in this section, for in-
formation on electronic deposit requirements.
The credit against employment taxes for COBRA
assistance payments is treated as a deposit of
taxes on the first day of your return period. See
COBRA premium assistance credit under Introduction for
more information.
Payment with return. You may make a payment with
Form 941 or Form 944 instead of depositing, without in-
curring a penalty, if one of the following applies.
Your Form 941 total tax liability for either the current
quarter or the prior quarter is less than $2,500, and
you didn't incur a $100,000 next-day deposit obliga-
tion during the current quarter. If you aren't sure your
total tax liability for the current quarter will be less than
$2,500, (and your liability for the prior quarter wasn't
less than $2,500), make deposits using the
semi-weekly or monthly rules so you won't be subject
to an FTD penalty.
You’re a monthly schedule depositor (defined later)
and make a payment in accordance with the Accuracy
of Deposits Rule, discussed later in this section. This
payment may be $2,500 or more.
Employers who have been notified to file Form 944 can
pay their fourth quarter tax liability with Form 944 if the
fourth quarter tax liability is less than $2,500. Employers
must have deposited any tax liability due for the first, sec-
ond, and third quarters according to the deposit rules to
avoid an FTD penalty for deposits during those quarters.TIP
Separate deposit requirements for nonpayroll (Form
945) tax liabilities. Separate deposits are required for
nonpayroll and payroll income tax withholding. Don't com-
bine deposits for Forms 941 (or Form 944) and Form 945
tax liabilities. Generally, the deposit rules for nonpayroll li-
abilities are the same as discussed next, except the rules
apply to an annual rather than a quarterly return period.
Thus, the $2,500 threshold for the deposit requirement
discussed above applies to Form 945 on an annual basis.
See the separate Instructions for Form 945 for more infor-
mation.
When To Deposit
There are two deposit schedules—monthly and semi-
weekly—for determining when you deposit social security,
Medicare, and withheld income taxes. These schedules
tell you when a deposit is due after a tax liability arises (for
example, when you have a payday). Before the beginning
of each calendar year, you must determine which of the
two deposit schedules you’re required to use. The deposit
schedule you must use is based on the total tax liability
you reported on Form 941 during a lookback period, dis-
cussed next. Your deposit schedule isn't determined by
how often you pay your employees or make deposits. See
special rules for Forms 944 and 945, later. Also see Appli-
cation of Monthly and Semiweekly Schedules, later in this
section.
These rules don't apply to FUTA tax. See section
14 for information on depositing FUTA tax.
Lookback period. If you’re a Form 941 filer, your deposit
schedule for a calendar year is determined from the total
taxes reported on Forms 941, line 10, in a 4-quarter look-
back period. The lookback period begins July 1 and ends
June 30 as shown next in Table 1. If you reported $50,000
or less of taxes for the lookback period, you’re a monthly
schedule depositor; if you reported more than $50,000,
you’re a semiweekly schedule depositor.
Table 1. Lookback Period for Calendar Year
2017
July 1, 2015 Oct. 1, 2015 Jan. 1, 2016 Apr.1, 2016
through through through through
Sep. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2015 Mar. 31, 2016 June 30, 2016
The lookback period for a 2017 Form 941 filer
who filed Form 944 in either 2015 or 2016 is cal-
endar year 2015.
If you’re a Form 944 filer for the current year or either of
the preceding 2 years, your deposit schedule for a calen-
dar year is determined from the total taxes reported during
the second preceding calendar year (either on your Form
941 for all 4 quarters of that year or your Form 944 for that
year). The lookback period for 2017 for a Form 944 filer is
calendar year 2015. If you reported $50,000 or less of
taxes for the lookback period, you’re a monthly schedule
depositor; if you reported more than $50,000, you’re a
semiweekly schedule depositor.CAUTION
!CAUTION
!
Publication 15 (2017) Page 25
If you’re a Form 945 filer, your deposit schedule for a
calendar year is determined from the total taxes reported
on line 3 of your Form 945 for the second preceding cal-
endar year. The lookback period for 2017 for a Form 945
filer is calendar year 2015.
Adjustments and the lookback rule. Adjustments
made on Form 941-X, Form 944-X, and Form 945-X don't
affect the amount of tax liability for previous periods for
purposes of the lookback rule.
Example. An employer originally reported a tax liability
of $45,000 for the lookback period. The employer discov-
ered, during January 2017, that the tax reported for one of
the lookback period quarters was understated by $10,000
and corrected this error by filing Form 941-X. This em-
ployer is a monthly schedule depositor for 2017 because
the lookback period tax liabilities are based on the
amounts originally reported, and they were $50,000 or
less.
Deposit period. The term deposit period refers to the
period during which tax liabilities are accumulated for
each required deposit due date. For monthly schedule de-
positors, the deposit period is a calendar month. The de-
posit periods for semiweekly schedule depositors are
Wednesday through Friday and Saturday through Tues-
day.
Monthly Deposit Schedule
You’re a monthly schedule depositor for a calendar year if
the total taxes on Form 941, line 10, for the 4 quarters in
your lookback period were $50,000 or less. Under the
monthly deposit schedule, deposit employment taxes on
payments made during a month by the 15th day of the fol-
lowing month. See also Deposits Due on Business Days
Only and the $100,000 Next-Day Deposit Rule, later in
this section. Monthly schedule depositors shouldn't file
Form 941 or Form 944 on a monthly basis.
New employers. Your tax liability for any quarter in the
lookback period before you started or acquired your busi-
ness is considered to be zero. Therefore, you’re a monthly
schedule depositor for the first calendar year of your busi-
ness. However, see the $100,000 Next-Day Deposit Rule,
later in this section.
Semiweekly Deposit Schedule
You’re a semiweekly schedule depositor for a calendar
year if the total taxes on Form 941, line 10, during your
lookback period were more than $50,000. Under the semi-
weekly deposit schedule, deposit employment taxes for
payments made on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday
by the following Wednesday. Deposit taxes for payments
made on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and/or Tuesday by
the following Friday. See also Deposits Due on Business
Days Only, later in this section.
Semiweekly schedule depositors must complete
Schedule B (Form 941), Report of Tax Liability for
Semiweekly Schedule Depositors, and submit it
with Form 941. If you file Form 944 and are a semiweekly
schedule depositor, complete Form 945-A, Annual Re-
cord of Federal Tax Liability, and submit it with your return
(instead of Schedule B).
Table 2. Semiweekly Deposit Schedule
IF the payday falls on a . . . THEN deposit taxes by the
following . . .
Wednesday, Thursday, and/or
Friday
Wednesday
Saturday, Sunday, Monday,
and/or Tuesday
Friday
Semiweekly deposit period spanning two quarters
(Form 941 filers). If you have more than one pay date
during a semiweekly period and the pay dates fall in differ-
ent calendar quarters, you’ll need to make separate de
posits for the separate liabilities.
Example. If you have a pay date on Saturday, Septem-
ber 30, 2017 (third quarter), and another pay date on Sun-
day, October 1, 2017 (fourth quarter), two separate de-
posits would be required even though the pay dates fall
within the same semiweekly period. Both deposits would
be due Friday, October 6, 2017.
Semiweekly deposit period spanning two return peri
ods (Form 944 or Form 945 filers). If you have more
than one pay date during a semiweekly period and the
pay dates fall in different return periods, you'll need to
make separate deposits for the separate liabilities. For ex-
ample, if you have a pay date on Saturday, December 30,
2017, and another pay date on Tuesday, January 2, 2018,
two separate deposits will be required even though the
pay dates fall within the same semiweekly period. Both
deposits will be due Friday, January 5, 2018 (3 business
days from the end of the semiweekly deposit period).
Summary of Steps to Determine Your Deposit Schedule
1. Identify your lookback period (see Lookback period, earlier in
this section).
2. Add the total taxes you reported on Form 941, line 10, during
the lookback period.
3. Determine if you’re a monthly or semiweekly schedule
depositor:
If the total taxes you
reported in the lookback
period were . . . . . . . . . . .
Then you’re a . . . . . . . . . .
$50,000 or less Monthly Schedule Depositor
More than $50,000 Semiweekly
Schedule DepositorCAUTION
!
Page 26 Publication 15 (2017)
Example of Monthly and Semiweekly
Schedules
Rose Co. reported Form 941 taxes as follows:
2016 Lookback Period 2017 Lookback Period
3rd Quarter 2014 $12,000 3rd Quarter 2015 $12,000
4th Quarter 2014 12,000 4th Quarter 2015 12,000
1st Quarter 2015 12,000 1st Quarter 2016 12,000
2nd Quarter 2015 12,000 2nd Quarter 2016 15,000
$48,000 $51,000
Rose Co. is a monthly schedule depositor for 2016 be-
cause its tax liability for the 4 quarters in its lookback pe-
riod (third quarter 2014 through second quarter 2015)
wasn't more than $50,000. However, for 2017, Rose Co.
is a semiweekly schedule depositor because the total
taxes exceeded $50,000 for the 4 quarters in its lookback
period (third quarter 2015 through second quarter 2016).
Deposits Due on Business Days Only
If a deposit is required to be made on a day that isn't a
business day, the deposit is considered timely if it is made
by the close of the next business day. A business day is
any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
For example, if a deposit is required to be made on a Fri-
day and Friday is a legal holiday, the deposit will be con-
sidered timely if it is made by the following Monday (if that
Monday is a business day).
Semiweekly schedule depositors have at least 3
business days following the close of the semiweekly pe-
riod to make a deposit. If any of the 3 weekdays after the
end of a semiweekly period is a legal holiday, you’ll have
an additional day for each day that is a legal holiday to
make the required deposit. For example, if a semiweekly
schedule depositor accumulated taxes for payments
made on Friday and the following Monday is a legal holi-
day, the deposit normally due on Wednesday may be
made on Thursday (this allows 3 business days to make
the deposit).
Legal holiday. The term “legal holiday” means any legal
holiday in the District of Columbia. For purposes of the de-
posit rules, the term “legal holiday” doesn't include other
statewide legal holidays. Legal holidays for 2017 are listed
next.
January 2— New Year's Day (observed)
January 16— Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 20— Inauguration Day
February 20— Washington's Birthday
April 17— District of Columbia Emancipation Day (ob-
served)
May 29— Memorial Day
July 4— Independence Day
September 4— Labor Day
October 9— Columbus Day
November 10— Veterans' Day (observed)
November 23— Thanksgiving Day
December 25— Christmas Day
Application of Monthly and Semiweekly
Schedules
The terms “monthly schedule depositor” and “semiweekly
schedule depositor” don't refer to how often your business
pays its employees or even how often you’re required to
make deposits. The terms identify which set of deposit
rules you must follow when an employment tax liability ari-
ses. The deposit rules are based on the dates when wa-
ges are paid (for example, cash basis); not on when tax li-
abilities are accrued for accounting purposes.
Monthly schedule example. Spruce Co. is a monthly
schedule depositor with seasonal employees. It paid wa-
ges each Friday during July but didn't pay any wages dur-
ing August. Under the monthly deposit schedule, Spruce
Co. must deposit the combined tax liabilities for the July
paydays by August 15. Spruce Co. doesn't have a deposit
requirement for August (due by September 15) because
no wages were paid and, therefore, it didn't have a tax lia-
bility for August.
Semiweekly schedule example. Green, Inc. is a semi-
weekly schedule depositor and pays wages once each
month on the last Friday of the month. Although Green,
Inc., has a semiweekly deposit schedule, it will deposit
just once a month because it pays wages only once a
month. The deposit, however, will be made under the
semiweekly deposit schedule as follows: Green, Inc.'s tax
liability for the April 28, 2017 (Friday), payday must be de-
posited by May 3, 2017 (Wednesday). Under the semi-
weekly deposit schedule, liabilities for wages paid on
Wednesday through Friday must be deposited by the fol-
lowing Wednesday.
$100,000 NextDay Deposit Rule
If you accumulate $100,000 or more in taxes on any day
during a monthly or semiweekly deposit period (see De-
posit period, earlier in this section), you must deposit the
tax by the next business day, whether you’re a monthly or
semiweekly schedule depositor.
For purposes of the $100,000 rule, don't continue accu-
mulating a tax liability after the end of a deposit period.
For example, if a semiweekly schedule depositor has ac-
cumulated a liability of $95,000 on a Tuesday (of a Satur-
day-through-Tuesday deposit period) and accumulated a
$10,000 liability on Wednesday, the $100,000 next-day
deposit rule doesn't apply. Thus, $95,000 must be depos-
ited by Friday and $10,000 must be deposited by the fol-
lowing Wednesday.
However, once you accumulate at least $100,000 in a
deposit period, stop accumulating at the end of that day
and begin to accumulate anew on the next day. For exam-
ple, Fir Co. is a semiweekly schedule depositor. On
Publication 15 (2017) Page 27
Monday, Fir Co. accumulates taxes of $110,000 and must
deposit this amount on Tuesday, the next business day.
On Tuesday, Fir Co. accumulates additional taxes of
$30,000. Because the $30,000 isn't added to the previous
$110,000 and is less than $100,000, Fir Co. must deposit
the $30,000 by Friday (following the semiweekly deposit
schedule).
If you’re a monthly schedule depositor and accu-
mulate a $100,000 tax liability on any day, you be-
come a semiweekly schedule depositor on the
next day and remain so for at least the rest of the calendar
year and for the following calendar year.
Example. Elm, Inc., started its business on May 7,
2017. On Wednesday, May 10, it paid wages for the first
time and accumulated a tax liability of $40,000. On Friday,
May 12, Elm, Inc., paid wages and accumulated a liability
of $60,000, bringing its total accumulated tax liability to
$100,000. Because this was the first year of its business,
the tax liability for its lookback period is considered to be
zero, and it would be a monthly schedule depositor based
on the lookback rules. However, since Elm, Inc., accumu-
lated a $100,000 liability on May 12, it became a semi-
weekly schedule depositor on May 13. It will be a semi-
weekly schedule depositor for the remainder of 2017 and
for 2018. Elm, Inc., is required to deposit the $100,000 by
Monday, May 15, the next business day.
Accuracy of Deposits Rule
You’re required to deposit 100% of your tax liability on or
before the deposit due date. However, penalties won't be
applied for depositing less than 100% if both of the follow-
ing conditions are met.
Any deposit shortfall doesn't exceed the greater of
$100 or 2% of the amount of taxes otherwise required
to be deposited.
The deposit shortfall is paid or deposited by the short-
fall makeup date as described next.
Makeup Date for Deposit Shortfall:
1. Monthly schedule depositor. Deposit the shortfall
or pay it with your return by the due date of your return
for the return period in which the shortfall occurred.
You may pay the shortfall with your return even if the
amount is $2,500 or more.
2. Semiweekly schedule depositor. Deposit by the
earlier of:
a. The first Wednesday or Friday (whichever comes
first) that falls on or after the 15th of the month fol-
lowing the month in which the shortfall occurred,
or
b. The due date of your return (for the return period
of the tax liability).
For example, if a semiweekly schedule depositor has a
deposit shortfall during June 2017, the shortfall makeup
date is July 19, 2017 (Wednesday). However, if the short-CAUTION
!
fall occurred on the required April 5, 2017 (Wednesday),
deposit due date for a March 31, 2017 (Friday), pay date,
the return due date for the March 31, 2017, pay date (May
1, 2017) would come before the May 17, 2017 (Wednes-
day), shortfall makeup date. In this case, the shortfall must
be deposited by May 1, 2017.
How To Deposit
You must deposit employment taxes, including Form 945
taxes, by EFT. See Payment with return, earlier in this
section, for exceptions explaining when taxes may be
paid with the tax return instead of being deposited.
Electronic deposit requirement. You must use EFT to
make all federal tax deposits (such as deposits of employ-
ment tax, excise tax, and corporate income tax). Gener-
ally, an EFT is made using EFTPS. If you don't want to
use EFTPS, you can arrange for your tax professional, fi-
nancial institution, payroll service, or other trusted third
party to make electronic deposits on your behalf. EFTPS
is a free service provided by the Department of Treasury.
To get more information about EFTPS or to enroll in
EFTPS, visit eftps.gov, or call 1-800-555-4477 or
1-800-733-4829 (TDD). Additional information about
EFTPS is also available in Pub. 966.
When you receive your EIN. If you’re a new em-
ployer that indicated a federal tax obligation when re-
questing an EIN, you’ll be pre-enrolled in EFTPS. You’ll
receive information about Express Enrollment in your Em-
ployer Identification Number (EIN) Package and an addi-
tional mailing containing your EFTPS personal identifica-
tion number (PIN) and instructions for activating your PIN.
Call the toll-free number located in your “How to Activate
Your Enrollment” brochure to activate your enrollment and
begin making your payroll tax deposits. If you outsource
any of your payroll and related tax duties to a third party
payer, such as a PSP or reporting agent, be sure to tell
them about your EFTPS enrollment.
Deposit record. For your records, an EFT Trace
Number will be provided with each successful payment.
The number can be used as a receipt or to trace the pay-
ment.
Depositing on time. For deposits made by EFTPS to
be on time, you must submit the deposit by 8 p.m. Eastern
time the day before the date the deposit is due. If you use
a third party to make a deposit on your behalf, they may
have different cutoff times.
Sameday wire payment option. If you fail to submit
a deposit transaction on EFTPS by 8 p.m. Eastern time
the day before the date a deposit is due, you can still
make your deposit on time by using the Federal Tax Col-
lection Service (FTCS). To use the same-day wire pay-
ment method, you’ll need to make arrangements with your
financial institution ahead of time. Please check with your
financial institution regarding availability, deadlines, and
costs. Your financial institution may charge you a fee for
payments made this way. To learn more about the infor-
mation you’ll need to provide to your financial institution to
Page 28 Publication 15 (2017)
make a same-day wire payment, visit the IRS website at
IRS.gov/payments and click on Same-day wire.
How to claim credit for overpayments. If you depos-
ited more than the right amount of taxes for a quarter, you
can choose on Form 941 for that quarter (or on Form 944
for that year) to have the overpayment refunded or applied
as a credit to your next return. Don't ask EFTPS to request
a refund from the IRS for you.
Deposit Penalties
Although the deposit penalties information provi-
ded next refers specifically to Form 941, these
rules also apply to Form 945 and Form 944 (if the
employer required to file Form 944 doesn't qualify for the
exception to the deposit requirements discussed under
Payment with return, earlier in this section).
Penalties may apply if you don't make required deposits
on time or if you make deposits for less than the required
amount. The penalties don't apply if any failure to make a
proper and timely deposit was due to reasonable cause
and not to willful neglect. If you receive a penalty notice,
you can provide an explanation of why you believe rea-
sonable cause exists. If you timely filed your employment
tax return, the IRS may also waive deposit penalties if you
inadvertently failed to deposit and it was the first quarter
that you were required to deposit any employment tax, or
if you inadvertently failed to deposit the first time after your
deposit frequency changed.
For amounts not properly or timely deposited, the pen-
alty rates are as follows.
2% Deposits made 1 to 5 days late.
5% Deposits made 6 to 15 days late.
10% Deposits made 16 or more days late, but before 10 days
from the date of the first notice the IRS sent asking for the
tax due.
10% Amounts that should have been deposited, but instead
were paid directly to the IRS, or paid with your tax return.
But see Payment with return, earlier in this section, for an
exception.
15% Amounts still unpaid more than 10 days after the date of
the first notice the IRS sent asking for the tax due or the
day on which you received notice and demand for
immediate payment, whichever is earlier.
Late deposit penalty amounts are determined using
calendar days, starting from the due date of the liability.
Special rule for former Form 944 filers. If you filed
Form 944 for the prior year and file Forms 941 for the cur-
rent year, the FTD penalty won't apply to a late deposit of
employment taxes for January of the current year if the
taxes are deposited in full by March 15 of the current year.
Order in which deposits are applied. Deposits gener-
ally are applied to the most recent tax liability within the
quarter. If you receive an FTD penalty notice, you may
designate how your deposits are to be applied in order toTIP
minimize the amount of the penalty if you do so within 90
days of the date of the notice. Follow the instructions on
the penalty notice you received. For more information on
designating deposits, see Revenue Procedure 2001-58.
You can find Revenue Procedure 2001-58 on page 579 of
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2001-50 at IRS.gov/pub/irs-irbs/
irb01-50.pdf.
Example. Cedar, Inc. is required to make a deposit of
$1,000 on May 15 and $1,500 on June 15. It doesn't make
the deposit on May 15. On June 15, Cedar, Inc. deposits
$2,000. Under the deposits rule, which applies deposits to
the most recent tax liability, $1,500 of the deposit is ap-
plied to the June 15 deposit and the remaining $500 is ap-
plied to the May deposit. Accordingly, $500 of the May 15
liability remains undeposited. The penalty on this under-
deposit will apply as explained above.
Trust fund recovery penalty. If federal income, social
security, or Medicare taxes that must be withheld (that is,
trust fund taxes) aren't withheld or aren't deposited or paid
to the United States Treasury, the trust fund recovery pen-
alty may apply. The penalty is the full amount of the un-
paid trust fund tax. This penalty may apply to you if these
unpaid taxes can't be immediately collected from the em-
ployer or business.
The trust fund recovery penalty may be imposed on all
persons who are determined by the IRS to be responsible
for collecting, accounting for, or paying over these taxes,
and who acted willfully in not doing so.
A responsible person can be an officer or employee
of a corporation, a partner or employee of a partnership,
an accountant, a volunteer director/trustee, or an em-
ployee of a sole proprietorship, or any other person or en-
tity that is responsible for collecting, accounting for, or
paying over trust fund taxes. A responsible person also
may include one who signs checks for the business or
otherwise has authority to cause the spending of business
funds.
Willfully means voluntarily, consciously, and intention-
ally. A responsible person acts willfully if the person
knows the required actions of collecting, accounting for, or
paying over trust fund taxes aren't taking place, or reck-
lessly disregards obvious and known risks to the govern-
ment's right to receive trust fund taxes.
Separate accounting when deposits aren't made or
withheld taxes aren't paid. Separate accounting may
be required if you don't pay over withheld employee social
security, Medicare, or income taxes; deposit required
taxes; make required payments; or file tax returns. In this
case, you would receive written notice from the IRS re-
quiring you to deposit taxes into a special trust account for
the U.S. Government.
You may be charged with criminal penalties if you
don't comply with the special bank deposit re-
quirements for the special trust account for the
U.S. Government.
“Averaged” FTD penalty. The IRS may assess an
"averaged" FTD penalty of 2% to 10% if you’re a monthlyCAUTION
!
Publication 15 (2017) Page 29
schedule depositor and didn't properly complete Form
941, line 16, when your tax liability shown on Form 941,
line 12, equaled or exceeded $2,500.
The IRS may also assess an "averaged" FTD penalty of
2% to 10% if you’re a semiweekly schedule depositor and
your tax liability shown on Form 941, line 12, equaled or
exceeded $2,500 and you:
Completed Form 941, line 16, instead of Schedule B
(Form 941);
Failed to attach a properly completed Schedule B
(Form 941); or
Improperly completed Schedule B (Form 941) by, for
example, entering tax deposits instead of tax liabilities
in the numbered spaces.
The FTD penalty is figured by distributing your total tax
liability shown on Form 941, line 12, equally throughout
the tax period. As a result, your deposits and payments
may not be counted as timely because the actual dates of
your tax liabilities can't be accurately determined.
You can avoid an "averaged" FTD penalty by reviewing
your return before you file it. Follow these steps before
submitting your Form 941.
If you’re a monthly schedule depositor, report your tax
liabilities (not your deposits) in the monthly entry
spaces on Form 941, line 16.
If you’re a semiweekly schedule depositor, report your
tax liabilities (not your deposits) on Schedule B (Form
941) in the lines that represent the dates your employ-
ees were paid.
Verify your total liability shown on Form 941, line 16,
or the bottom of Schedule B (Form 941) equals your
tax liability shown on Form 941, line 12.
Don't show negative amounts on Form 941, line 16, or
Schedule B (Form 941).
For prior period errors don't adjust your tax liabilities
reported on Form 941, line 16, or on Schedule B
(Form 941). Instead, file an adjusted return (Form
941-X, 944-X, or 945-X) if you’re also adjusting your
tax liability. If you’re only adjusting your deposits in re-
sponse to an FTD penalty notice, see the Instructions
for Schedule B (Form 941) or the Instructions for Form
945-X (for Forms 944 and 945).
12. Filing Form 941 or Form
Form 941. Each quarter, if you pay wages subject to in-
come tax withholding (including withholding on sick pay
and supplemental unemployment benefits) or social se-
curity and Medicare taxes you must file Form 941 unless
you receive an IRS notification that you’re eligible to file
Form 944 or the following exceptions apply. Also, if you’re
required to file Forms 941 but believe your employment
taxes for the calendar year will be $1,000 or less, and you
would like to file Form 944 instead of Forms 941, you must
contact the IRS during the first calendar quarter of the tax
year to request to file Form 944. You must receive written
notice from the IRS to file Form 944 instead of Forms 941
before you may file this form. For more information on re-
questing to file Form 944, including the methods and
deadlines for making a request, see the Instructions for
Form 944. Form 941 must be filed by the last day of the
month that follows the end of the quarter. See the Calen-
dar, earlier.
Form 944. If you receive written notification you qualify
for the Form 944 program, you must file Form 944 instead
of Form 941. If you received this notification, but prefer to
file Form 941, you can request to have your filing require-
ment changed to Form 941 during the first calendar quar-
ter of the tax year. For more information on requesting to
file Forms 941, including the methods and deadlines for
making a request, see the Instructions for Form 944. Em-
ployers who must file Form 944 have until the last day of
the month that follows the end of the year to file Form 944.
Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to the filing
requirements for Forms 941 and 944.
Seasonal employers who no longer file for quar
ters when they regularly have no tax liability be
cause they have paid no wages. To alert the IRS
you won't have to file a return for one or more quarters
during the year, check the “Seasonal employer” box
on Form 941, line 18. When you fill out Form 941, be
sure to check the box on the top of the form that corre-
sponds to the quarter reported. Generally, the IRS
won't inquire about unfiled returns if at least one taxa-
ble return is filed each year. However, you must check
the “Seasonal employer” box on every Form 941 you
file. Otherwise, the IRS will expect a return to be filed
for each quarter.
Household employers reporting social security
and Medicare taxes and/or withheld income tax. If
you’re a sole proprietor and file Form 941 or Form 944
for business employees, you may include taxes for
household employees on your Form 941 or Form 944.
Otherwise, report social security and Medicare taxes
and income tax withholding for household employees
on Schedule H (Form 1040). See Pub. 926 for more
information.
Employers reporting wages for employees in
American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Is
lands, or Puerto Rico. If your employees aren't sub-
ject to U.S. income tax withholding, use Forms
941-SS, 944, or Formulario 944(SP). Employers in Pu-
erto Rico use Formularios 941-PR, 944(SP), or Form
944. If you have both employees who are subject to
U.S. income tax withholding and employees who
aren't subject to U.S. income tax withholding, you
must file only Form 941 (or Form 944 or Formulario
944(SP)) and include all of your employees' wages on
that form. For more information, see Pub. 80, Federal
Tax Guide for Employers in U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam,
American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the
Page 30 Publication 15 (2017)
Northern Mariana Islands, or Pub. 179, Guía Contribu-
tiva Federal para Patronos Puertorriqueños.
Agricultural employers reporting social security,
Medicare, and withheld income taxes. Report
these taxes on Form 943. For more information, see
Pub. 51.
Form 941 efile. The Form 941 e-file program allows a
taxpayer to electronically file Form 941 or Form 944 using
a computer with an internet connection and commercial
tax preparation software. For more information, visit the
IRS website at IRS.gov/employmenteifle, or call
1-866-255-0654.
Electronic filing by reporting agents. Reporting
agents filing Forms 941 or Form 944 for groups of taxpay-
ers can file them electronically. See Reporting Agents in
section 7 of Pub. 15-A.
Penalties. For each whole or part month a return isn't
filed when required (disregarding any extensions of the fil-
ing deadline), there is a failure-to-file (FTF) penalty of 5%
of the unpaid tax due with that return. The maximum pen-
alty is generally 25% of the tax due. Also, for each whole
or part month the tax is paid late (disregarding any exten-
sions of the payment deadline), there is a failure-to-pay
(FTP) penalty of 0.5% per month of the amount of tax. For
individual filers only, the FTP penalty is reduced from
0.5% per month to 0.25% per month if an installment
agreement is in effect. You must have filed your return on
or before the due date of the return to qualify for the re-
duced penalty. The maximum amount of the FTP penalty
is also 25% of the tax due. If both penalties apply in any
month, the FTF penalty is reduced by the amount of the
FTP penalty. The penalties won't be charged if you have a
reasonable cause for failing to file or pay. If you receive a
penalty notice, you can provide an explanation of why you
believe reasonable cause exists.
Note. In addition to any penalties, interest accrues
from the due date of the tax on any unpaid balance.
If income, social security, or Medicare taxes that must
be withheld aren't withheld or aren't paid, you may be per-
sonally liable for the trust fund recovery penalty. See Trust
fund recovery penalty in section 11.
Generally, the use of a third party payer, such as a PSP
or reporting agent, doesn't relieve an employer of the re-
sponsibility to ensure tax returns are filed and all taxes are
paid or deposited correctly and on time. However, see
Certified professional employer organization (CPEO),
later, for an exception.
Don't file more than one Form 941 per quarter or
more than one Form 944 per year. Employers with
multiple locations or divisions must file only one Form 941
per quarter or one Form 944 per year. Filing more than
one return may result in processing delays and may re-
quire correspondence between you and the IRS. For infor-
mation on making adjustments to previously filed returns,
see section 13.
Reminders about filing.
Don't report more than 1 calendar quarter on a Form
941.
If you need Form 941 or Form 944, get one from the
IRS in time to file the return when due. See Ordering
Employer Tax Forms and Publications, earlier.
Enter your name and EIN on Form 941 or Form 944.
Be sure they’re exactly as they appeared on earlier re-
turns.
See the Instructions for Form 941 or the Instructions
for Form 944 for information on preparing the form.
Final return. If you go out of business, you must file a fi-
nal return for the last quarter (last year for Form 944) in
which wages are paid. If you continue to pay wages or
other compensation for periods following termination of
your business, you must file returns for those periods. See
the Instructions for Form 941 or the Instructions for Form
944 for details on how to file a final return.
If you’re required to file a final return, you’re also re-
quired to furnish Forms W-2 to your employees by the due
date of your final return. File Forms W-2 and W-3 with the
SSA by the last day of the month that follows the due date
of your final return. Don't send an original or copy of your
Form 941 or Form 944 to the SSA. See the General In-
structions for Forms W-2 and W-3 for more information.
Filing late returns for previous years. If possible, get a
copy of Form 941 or Form 944 (and separate instructions)
with a revision date showing the year for which your delin-
quent return is being filed. See Ordering Employer Tax
Forms and Publications, earlier. Contact the IRS at
1-800-829-4933 if you have any questions about filing late
returns.
Table 3. Social Security and Medicare Tax
Rates (for 3 prior years)
Calendar Year
Wage Base Limit
(each employee)
Tax Rate on
Taxable Wages
and Tips
2016–Social Security $118,500 12.4%
2016–Medicare All Wages 2.9%
2015–Social Security $118,500 12.4%
2015–Medicare All Wages 2.9%
2014–Social Security $117,000 12.4%
2014–Medicare All Wages 2.9%
Reconciling Forms W2, W3, and 941 or 944. When
there are discrepancies between Forms 941 or Form 944
filed with the IRS and Forms W-2 and W-3 filed with the
SSA, the IRS must contact you to resolve the discrepan-
cies.
Take the following steps to help reduce discrepancies.
1. Report bonuses as wages and as social security and
Medicare wages on Forms W-2 and on Form 941 or
Form 944.
Publication 15 (2017) Page 31
2. Report both social security and Medicare wages and
taxes separately on Forms W-2, W-3, 941, and 944.
3. Report employee share of social security taxes on
Form W-2 in the box for social security tax withheld
(box 4), not as social security wages.
4. Report employee share of Medicare taxes on Form
W-2 in the box for Medicare tax withheld (box 6), not
as Medicare wages.
5. Make sure the social security wage amount for each
employee doesn't exceed the annual social security
wage base limit (for example, $127,200 for 2017).
6. Don't report noncash wages that aren't subject to so-
cial security or Medicare taxes as social security or
Medicare wages.
7. If you used an EIN on any Form 941 or Form 944 for
the year that is different from the EIN reported on
Form W-3, enter the other EIN on Form W-3 in the
box for “Other EIN used this year” (box h).
8. Be sure the amounts on Form W-3 are the total of
amounts from Forms W-2.
9. Reconcile Form W-3 with your four quarterly Forms
941 or annual Form 944 by comparing amounts re-
ported for the following items.
a. Federal income tax withheld.
b. Social security and Medicare wages.
c. Social security and Medicare taxes. Generally, the
amounts shown on Forms 941 or annual Form
944, including current year adjustments, should
be approximately twice the amounts shown on
Form W-3.
Don't report backup withholding or withholding on non-
payroll payments, such as pensions, annuities, and gam-
bling winnings, on Form 941 or Form 944. Withholding on
nonpayroll payments is reported on Forms 1099 or W-2G
and must be reported on Form 945. Only taxes and with-
holding reported on Form W-2 should be reported on
Form 941 or Form 944.
Amounts reported on Forms W-2, W-3, and Forms 941
or Form 944 may not match for valid reasons. For exam-
ple, if you withheld any Additional Medicare Tax from your
employee’s wages, the amount of Medicare tax that is re-
ported on Forms 941, line 5c, or Form 944, line 4c, won’t
be twice the amount of the Medicare tax withheld that is
reported in box 6 of Form W-3. If they don't match, you
should determine the reasons they’re valid. Keep your
reconciliation so you’ll have a record of why amounts
didn't match in case there are inquiries from the IRS or the
SSA. See the Instructions for Schedule D (Form 941) if
you need to explain any discrepancies that were caused
by an acquisition, statutory merger, or consolidation.
13. Reporting Adjustments to
Form 941 or Form 944
Current Period Adjustments
In certain cases, amounts reported as social security and
Medicare taxes on Form 941, lines 5a–5d, column 2
(Form 944, lines 4a–4d, column 2), must be adjusted to
arrive at your correct tax liability (for example, excluding
amounts withheld by a third party payor or amounts you
weren't required to withhold). Current period adjustments
are reported on Form 941, lines 7–9, or Form 944, line 6,
and include the following types of adjustments.
Fractionsofcents adjustment. If there is a small differ-
ence between total taxes after adjustments and credits
(Form 941, line 12; Form 944, line 7) and total deposits
(Form 941, line 13; Form 944, line 8), it may have been
caused, all or in part, by rounding to the nearest cent each
time you computed payroll. This rounding occurs when
you figure the amount of social security and Medicare tax
to be withheld and deposited from each employee's wa-
ges. The IRS refers to rounding differences relating to em-
ployee withholding of social security and Medicare taxes
as “fractions-of-cents” adjustments. If you pay your taxes
with Form 941 (or Form 944) instead of making deposits
because your total taxes for the quarter (year for Form
944) are less than $2,500, you also may report a frac-
tions-of-cents adjustment.
To determine if you have a fractions-of-cents adjust-
ment for 2017, multiply the total wages and tips for the
quarter subject to:
Social security tax reported on Form 941 or Form 944
by 6.2% (0.062),
Medicare tax reported on Form 941 or Form 944 by
1.45% (0.0145), and
Additional Medicare Tax reported on Form 941 or 944
by 0.9% (0.009).
Compare these amounts (the employee share of social
security and Medicare taxes) with the total social security
and Medicare taxes actually withheld from employees for
the quarter (from your payroll records). The difference,
positive or negative, is your fractions-of-cents adjustment
to be reported on Form 941, line 7, or Form 944, line 6. If
the actual amount withheld is less, report a negative ad-
justment using a minus sign (if possible, otherwise use pa-
rentheses) in the entry space. If the actual amount is
more, report a positive adjustment.
For the above adjustments, prepare and retain a
brief supporting statement explaining the nature
and amount of each. Don't attach the statement to
Form 941 or Form 944.TIP
Page 32 Publication 15 (2017)
Example. Cedar, Inc. was entitled to the following
current period adjustments.
Fractions of cents. Cedar, Inc. determined the
amounts withheld and deposited for social security
and Medicare taxes during the quarter were a net
$1.44 more than the employee share of the amount
figured on Form 941, lines 5a–5d, column 2 (social se-
curity and Medicare taxes). This difference was
caused by adding or dropping fractions of cents when
figuring social security and Medicare taxes for each
wage payment. Cedar, Inc. must report a positive
$1.44 fractions-of-cents adjustment on Form 941,
line 7.
Thirdparty sick pay. Cedar, Inc. included taxes of
$2,000 for sick pay on Form 941, lines 5a and 5c, col-
umn 2, for social security and Medicare taxes. How-
ever, the third-party payor of the sick pay withheld and
paid the employee share ($1,000) of these taxes. Ce-
dar, Inc. is entitled to a $1,000 sick pay adjustment
(negative) on Form 941, line 8.
Life insurance premiums. Cedar, Inc. paid
group-term life insurance premiums for policies in ex-
cess of $50,000 for former employees. The former
employees must pay the employee share of the social
security and Medicare taxes ($200) on the policies.
However, Cedar, Inc. must include the employee
share of these taxes with the social security and Medi-
care taxes reported on Form 941, lines 5a and 5c, col-
umn 2. Therefore, Cedar, Inc. is entitled to a negative
$200 adjustment on Form 941, line 9.
Adjustment of tax on thirdparty sick pay. Report both
the employer and employee shares of social security and
Medicare taxes for sick pay on Form 941, lines 5a and 5c
(Form 944, lines 4a and 4c). If the aggregate wages paid
for an employee by the employer and third-party payor ex-
ceed $200,000 for the calendar year, report the Additional
Medicare Tax on Form 941, line 5d (Form 944, line 4d).
Show as a negative adjustment on Form 941, line 8 (Form
944, line 6), the social security and Medicare taxes with-
held on sick pay by a third-party payor. See section 6 of
Pub. 15-A for more information.
Adjustment of tax on tips. If, by the 10th of the month
after the month you received an employee's report on tips,
you don't have enough employee funds available to with-
hold the employee's share of social security and Medicare
taxes, you no longer have to collect it. However, report the
entire amount of these tips on Form 941, lines 5b and 5c
(Form 944, lines 4b and 4c). If the aggregate wages and
tips paid for an employee exceed $200,000 for the calen-
dar year, report the Additional Medicare Tax on Form 941,
line 5d (Form 944, line 4d). Include as a negative adjust-
ment on Form 941, line 9 (Form 944, line 6), the total un-
collected employee share of the social security and Medi-
care taxes.
Adjustment of tax on groupterm life insurance pre
miums paid for former employees. The employee
share of social security and Medicare taxes for premiums
on group-term life insurance over $50,000 for a former
employee is paid by the former employee with his or her
tax return and isn't collected by the employer. However,
include all social security and Medicare taxes for such
coverage on Form 941, lines 5a and 5c (Form 944, lines
4a and 4c). If the amount paid for an employee for premi-
ums on group-term life insurance combined with other wa-
ges exceeds $200,000 for the calendar year, report the
Additional Medicare Tax on Form 941, line 5d (Form 944,
line 4d). Back out the amount of the employee share of
these taxes as a negative adjustment on Form 941, line 9
(Form 944, line 6). See Pub. 15-B for more information on
group-term life insurance.
No change to record of federal tax liability. Don't
make any changes to your record of federal tax liability re-
ported on Form 941, line 16, or Schedule B (Form 941)
(Form 945-A for Form 944 filers) for current period adjust-
ments. The amounts reported on the record reflect the ac-
tual amounts you withheld from employees' wages for so-
cial security and Medicare taxes. Because the current
period adjustments make the amounts reported on Form
941, lines 5a–5d, column 2 (Form 944, lines 4a–4d, col-
umn 2), equal the actual amounts you withheld (the
amounts reported on the record), no additional changes to
the record of federal tax liability are necessary for these
adjustments.
Prior Period Adjustments
Forms for prior period adjustments. Use Form 941-X
or Form 944-X to make a correction after you discover an
error on a previously filed Form 941 or Form 944. There
are also Forms 943-X, 945-X, and CT-1 X to report cor-
rections on the corresponding returns. Use Form 843
when requesting a refund or abatement of assessed inter-
est or penalties.
See Revenue Ruling 2009-39, 2009-52 I.R.B.
951, for examples of how the interest-free adjust-
ment and claim for refund rules apply in 10 differ-
ent situations. You can find Revenue Ruling 2009-39, at
IRS.gov/irb/2009-52_IRB/ar14.html.
Background. Treasury Decision 9405 changed the proc-
ess for making interest-free adjustments to employment
taxes reported on Form 941 and Form 944 and for filing a
claim for refund of employment taxes. Treasury Decision
9405, 2008-32 I.R.B. 293, is available at IRS.gov/irb/
2008-32_irb/ar13.html. You’ll use the adjustment process
if you underreported employment taxes and are making a
payment, or if you overreported employment taxes and
will be applying the credit to the Form 941 or Form 944
period during which you file Form 941-X or Form 944-X.
You’ll use the claim process if you overreported employ-
ment taxes and are requesting a refund or abatement of
the overreported amount. We use the terms “correct” and
“corrections” to include interest-free adjustments under
sections 6205 and 6413, and claims for refund and abate-
ment under sections 6402, 6414, and 6404 of the Internal
Revenue Code.TIP
Publication 15 (2017) Page 33
Correcting employment taxes. When you discover an
error on a previously filed Form 941 or Form 944, you
must:
Correct that error using Form 941-X or Form 944-X,
File a separate Form 941-X or Form 944-X for each
Form 941 or Form 944 you’re correcting, and
File Form 941-X or Form 944-X separately. Don't file
with Form 941 or Form 944.
Continue to report current quarter adjustments for frac-
tions of cents, third-party sick pay, tips, and group-term
life insurance on Form 941 using lines 7–9, and on Form
944 using line 6.
Report the correction of underreported and overrepor-
ted amounts for the same tax period on a single Form
941-X or Form 944-X unless you’re requesting a refund. If
you’re requesting a refund and are correcting both under-
reported and overreported amounts, file one Form 941-X
or Form 944-X correcting the underreported amounts only
and a second Form 941-X or Form 944-X correcting the
overreported amounts.
See the chart on the back of Form 941-X or Form
944-X for help in choosing whether to use the adjustment
process or the claim process. See the Instructions for
Form 941-X or the Instructions for Form 944-X for details
on how to make the adjustment or claim for refund or
abatement.
Income tax withholding adjustments. In a current cal-
endar year, correct prior quarter income tax withholding
errors by making the correction on Form 941-X when you
discover the error.
You may make an adjustment only to correct income
tax withholding errors discovered during the same calen-
dar year in which you paid the wages. This is because the
employee uses the amount shown on Form W-2 as a
credit when filing his or her income tax return (Form 1040,
etc.).
You can't adjust amounts reported as income tax with-
held in a prior calendar year unless it is to correct an ad-
ministrative error or IRC section 3509 applies. An adminis-
trative error occurs if the amount you entered on Form 941
or Form 944 isn't the amount you actually withheld. For
example, if the total income tax actually withheld was in-
correctly reported on Form 941 or Form 944 due to a
mathematical or transposition error, this would be an ad-
ministrative error. The administrative error adjustment cor-
rects the amount reported on Form 941 or Form 944 to
agree with the amount actually withheld from employees
and reported on their Forms W-2.
Additional Medicare Tax withholding adjustments.
Generally, the rules discussed above under Income tax
withholding adjustments apply to Additional Medicare Tax
withholding adjustments. That is, you may make an ad-
justment to correct Additional Medicare Tax withholding
errors discovered during the same calendar year in which
you paid wages. You can't adjust amounts reported in a
prior calendar year unless it is to correct an administrative
error or IRC section 3509 applies. If you have overpaid
Additional Medicare Tax, you can't file a claim for refund
for the amount of the overpayment unless the amount
wasn't actually withheld from the employee's wages
(which would be an administrative error).
If a prior year error was a nonadministrative error, you
may correct only the wages and tips subject to Addi-
tional Medicare Tax withholding.
Collecting underwithheld taxes from employees. If
you withheld no income, social security, or Medicare
taxes or less than the correct amount from an employee's
wages, you can make it up from later pay to that em-
ployee. But you’re the one who owes the underpayment.
Reimbursement is a matter for settlement between you
and the employee. Underwithheld income tax and Addi-
tional Medicare Tax must be recovered from the em-
ployee on or before the last day of the calendar year.
There are special rules for tax on tips (see section 6) and
fringe benefits (see section 5).
Refunding amounts incorrectly withheld from em
ployees. If you withheld more than the correct amount of
income, social security, or Medicare taxes from wages
paid, repay or reimburse the employee the excess. Any
excess income tax or Additional Medicare Tax withholding
must be repaid or reimbursed to the employee before the
end of the calendar year in which it was withheld. Keep in
your records the employee's written receipt showing the
date and amount of the repayment or record of reimburse-
ment. If you didn't repay or reimburse the employee, you
must report and pay each excess amount when you file
Form 941 for the quarter (or Form 944 for the year) in
which you withheld too much tax.
Correcting filed Forms W2 and W3. When adjust-
ments are made to correct wages and social security and
Medicare taxes because of a change in the wage totals
reported for a previous year, you also need to file Form
W-2c and Form W-3c with the SSA. Up to 25 Forms W-2c
per Form W-3c may now be filed per session over the In-
ternet, with no limit on the number of sessions. For more
information, visit the Social Security Administration's Em-
ployer W-2 Filing Instructions & Information webpage at
socialsecurity.gov/employer.
Exceptions to interestfree corrections of employ
ment taxes. A correction won't be eligible for inter-
est-free treatment if:
The failure to report relates to an issue raised in an
IRS examination of a prior return, or
The employer knowingly underreported its employ-
ment tax liability.
A correction won't be eligible for interest-free treatment
after the earlier of the following:
Receipt of an IRS notice and demand for payment af-
ter assessment or
Receipt of an IRS Notice of Determination of Worker
Classification (Letter 3523).
Page 34 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Repayments
If an employee repays you for wages received in error,
don't offset the repayments against current-year wages
unless the repayments are for amounts received in error in
the current year.
Repayment of current year wages. If you receive re-
payments for wages paid during a prior quarter in the cur-
rent year, report adjustments on Form 941-X to recover in-
come tax withholding and social security and Medicare
taxes for the repaid wages.
Repayment of prior year wages. If you receive repay-
ments for wages paid during a prior year, report an adjust-
ment on Form 941-X or Form 944-X to recover the social
security and Medicare taxes. You can't make an adjust-
ment for income tax withholding because the wages were
income to the employee for the prior year. You can't make
an adjustment for Additional Medicare Tax withholding
because the employee determines liability for Additional
Medicare Tax on the employee's income tax return for the
prior year.
You also must file Forms W-2c and W-3c with the SSA
to correct social security and Medicare wages and taxes.
Don't correct wages (box 1) on Form W-2c for the amount
paid in error. Give a copy of Form W-2c to the employee.
Employee reporting of repayment. The wages paid
in error in the prior year remain taxable to the employee
for that year. This is because the employee received and
had use of those funds during that year. The employee
isn't entitled to file an amended return (Form 1040X) to re-
cover the income tax on these wages. Instead, the em-
ployee is entitled to a deduction (or credit in some cases)
for the repaid wages on his or her income tax return for
the year of repayment. However, the employee should file
an amended return (Form 1040X) to recover any Addi-
tional Medicare Tax paid on the wages paid in error in the
prior year.
14. Federal Unemployment
(FUTA) Tax
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, with state unemploy-
ment systems, provides for payments of unemployment
compensation to workers who have lost their jobs. Most
employers pay both a federal and a state unemployment
tax. For a list of state unemployment agencies, visit the
U.S. Department of Labor’s website at
workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/agencies.asp.
Only the employer pays FUTA tax; it isn't withheld from
the employee's wages. For more information, see the In-
structions for Form 940.
Services rendered to a federally recognized In-
dian tribal government (or any subdivision, sub-
sidiary, or business wholly owned by such an In-
dian tribe) are exempt from FUTA tax, subject to the
tribe's compliance with state law. For more information,
see Internal Revenue Code section 3309(d).
Who must pay? Use the following three tests to deter-
mine whether you must pay FUTA tax. Each test applies
to a different category of employee, and each is independ-
ent of the others. If a test describes your situation, you’re
subject to FUTA tax on the wages you pay to employees
in that category during the current calendar year.
1. General test.
You’re subject to FUTA tax in 2017 on the wages
you pay employees who aren't farmworkers or house-
hold workers if:
a. You paid wages of $1,500 or more in any calendar
quarter in 2016 or 2017, or
b. You had one or more employees for at least some
part of a day in any 20 or more different weeks in
2016 or 20 or more different weeks in 2017.
2. Household employees test.
You’re subject to FUTA tax if you paid total cash
wages of $1,000 or more to household employees in
any calendar quarter in 2016 or 2017. A household
employee is an employee who performs household
work in a private home, local college club, or local fra-
ternity or sorority chapter.
3. Farmworkers test.
You’re subject to FUTA tax on the wages you pay
to farmworkers if:
a. You paid cash wages of $20,000 or more to farm-
workers during any calendar quarter in 2016 or
2017, or
b. You employed 10 or more farmworkers during at
least some part of a day (whether or not at the
same time) during any 20 or more different weeks
in 2016 or 20 or more different weeks in 2017.
Computing FUTA tax. For 2017, the FUTA tax rate is
6.0%. The tax applies to the first $7,000 you pay to each
employee as wages during the year. The $7,000 is the
federal wage base. Your state wage base may be differ-
ent.
Generally, you can take a credit against your FUTA tax
for amounts you paid into state unemployment funds. The
credit may be as much as 5.4% of FUTA taxable wages. If
you’re entitled to the maximum 5.4% credit, the FUTA tax
rate after credit is 0.6%. You’re entitled to the maximum
credit if you paid your state unemployment taxes in full, on
time, and on all the same wages as are subject to FUTA
tax, and as long as the state isn't determined to be a credit
reduction state. See the Instructions for Form 940 to de-
termine the credit.
In some states, the wages subject to state unemploy-
ment tax are the same as the wages subject to FUTA tax.TIP
Publication 15 (2017) Page 35
However, certain states exclude some types of wages
from state unemployment tax, even though they’re subject
to FUTA tax (for example, wages paid to corporate offi-
cers, certain payments of sick pay by unions, and certain
fringe benefits). In such a case, you may be required to
deposit more than 0.6% FUTA tax on those wages. See
the Instructions for Form 940 for further guidance.
In years when there are credit reduction states,
you must include liabilities owed for credit reduc-
tion with your fourth quarter deposit. You may de-
posit the anticipated extra liability throughout the year, but
it isn't due until the due date for the deposit for the fourth
quarter, and the associated liability should be recorded as
being incurred in the fourth quarter. See the Instructions
for Form 940 for more information.
Successor employer. If you acquired a business
from an employer who was liable for FUTA tax, you may
be able to count the wages that employer paid to the em-
ployees who continue to work for you when you figure the
$7,000 FUTA tax wage base. See the Instructions for
Form 940.
Depositing FUTA tax. For deposit purposes, figure
FUTA tax quarterly. Determine your FUTA tax liability by
multiplying the amount of taxable wages paid during the
quarter by 0.6%. Stop depositing FUTA tax on an employ-
ee's wages when he or she reaches $7,000 in taxable wa-
ges for the calendar year.
If your FUTA tax liability for any calendar quarter is
$500 or less, you don't have to deposit the tax. Instead,
you may carry it forward and add it to the liability figured in
the next quarter to see if you must make a deposit. If your
FUTA tax liability for any calendar quarter is over $500 (in-
cluding any FUTA tax carried forward from an earlier quar-
ter), you must deposit the tax by EFT. See section 11 for
more information on EFT.
Household employees. You’re not required to de-
posit FUTA taxes for household employees unless you re-
port their wages on Form 941, 943, or 944. See Pub. 926
for more information.
When to deposit. Deposit the FUTA tax by the last
day of the first month that follows the end of the quarter. IfTIP
the due date for making your deposit falls on a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal holiday, you may make your deposit on
the next business day. See Legal holiday, earlier, for a list
of the legal holidays for 2017.
If your liability for the fourth quarter (plus any undepos-
ited amount from any earlier quarter) is over $500, deposit
the entire amount by the due date of Form 940 (January
31). If it is $500 or less, you can make a deposit, pay the
tax with a credit or debit card, or pay the tax with your
2016 Form 940 by January 31, 2017. If you file Form 940
electronically, you can e-file and e-pay (EFW). For more
information on paying your taxes with a credit or debit
card or using EFW, visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/
payments.
Table 4. When to Deposit FUTA Taxes
Quarter Ending Due Date
Jan.–Feb.–Mar. Mar. 31 Apr. 30
Apr.–May–June June 30 July 31
July–Aug.–Sept. Sept. 30 Oct. 31
Oct.–Nov.–Dec. Dec. 31 Jan. 31
Reporting FUTA tax. Use Form 940 to report FUTA tax.
File your 2016 Form 940 by January 31, 2017. However, if
you deposited all FUTA tax when due, you may file on or
before February 10, 2017.
Form 940 efile. The Form 940 e-file program allows a
taxpayer to electronically file From 940 using a computer
with an internet connection and commercial tax prepara-
tion software. For more information, visit the IRS website
at IRS.gov/employmentefile, or call 1-866-255-0654.
Household employees. If you didn't report employ-
ment taxes for household employees on Forms 941, 943,
or 944, report FUTA tax for these employees on Sched-
ule H (Form 1040). See Pub. 926 for more information.
You must have an EIN to file Schedule H (Form 1040).
Electronic filing by reporting agents. Reporting
agents filing Forms 940 for groups of taxpayers can file
them electronically. See the Reporting Agent discussion
in section 7 of Pub. 15-A.
Page 36 Publication 15 (2017)
15. Special Rules for Various Types of Services and Payments
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.
Special Classes of Employment and
Special Types of Payments Treatment Under Employment Taxes
Income Tax Withholding Social Security and
Medicare (including
Additional Medicare Tax
when wages are paid in
excess of $200,000)
FUTA
Aliens, nonresident. See Pub. 515 and Pub. 519.
Aliens, resident:
1. Service performed in the U.S. Same as U.S. citizen. Same as U.S. citizen.
(Exempt if any part of
service as crew member of
foreign vessel or aircraft is
performed outside U.S.)
Same as U.S. citizen.
2. Service performed outside U.S. Withhold Taxable if (1) working for
an American employer or
(2) an American employer
by agreement covers U.S.
citizens and residents
employed by its foreign
affiliates.
Exempt unless on or in
connection with an
American vessel or aircraft
and either performed under
contract made in U.S., or
alien is employed on such
vessel or aircraft when it
touches U.S. port.
Cafeteria plan benefits under section 125. If employee chooses cash, subject to all employment taxes. If employee chooses another
benefit, the treatment is the same as if the benefit was provided outside the plan. See Pub.
15-B for more information.
Deceased worker:
1. Wages paid to beneficiary or estate in
same calendar year as worker's death.
See the Instructions for Forms W-2 and
W-3 for details.
Exempt Taxable Taxable
2. Wages paid to beneficiary or estate
after calendar year of worker's death. Exempt Exempt Exempt
Dependent care assistance programs. Exempt to the extent it is reasonable to believe amounts are excludable from gross
income under section 129.
Disabled worker's wages paid after year in
which worker became entitled to disability
insurance benefits under the Social Security
Act.
Withhold Exempt, if worker didn't
perform any service for
employer during period for
which payment is made.
Taxable
Employee business expense
reimbursement:
1. Accountable plan.
a. Amounts not exceeding specified
government rate for per diem or
standard mileage.
Exempt Exempt Exempt
b. Amounts in excess of specified
government rate for per diem or
standard mileage.
Withhold Taxable Taxable
2. Nonaccountable plan. See section 5 for
details. Withhold Taxable Taxable
Family employees:
1. Child employed by parent (or
partnership in which each partner is a
parent of the child).
Withhold Exempt until age 18; age
21 for domestic service. Exempt until age 21
2. Parent employed by child. Withhold Taxable if in course of the
son's or daughter's
business. For domestic
services, see section 3.
Exempt
3. Spouse employed by spouse. Withhold Taxable if in course of
spouse's business. Exempt
See section 3 for more information.
Fishing and related activities. See Pub. 334.
Foreign governments and international
organizations. Exempt Exempt Exempt
Publication 15 (2017) Page 37
Special Classes of Employment and
Special Types of Payments Treatment Under Employment Taxes
Income Tax Withholding Social Security and
Medicare (including
Additional Medicare Tax
when wages are paid in
excess of $200,000)
FUTA
Foreign service by U.S. citizens:
1. As U.S. government employees. Withhold Same as within U.S. Exempt
2. For foreign affiliates of American
employers and other private employers. Exempt if at time of payment
(1) it is reasonable to believe
employee is entitled to
exclusion from income under
section 911 or (2) the
employer is required by law
of the foreign country to
withhold income tax on such
payment.
Exempt unless (1) an
American employer by
agreement covers U.S.
citizens employed by its
foreign affiliates or (2) U.S.
citizen works for American
employer.
Exempt unless (1) on
American vessel or aircraft
and work is performed
under contract made in U.S.
or worker is employed on
vessel when it touches U.S.
port or (2) U.S. citizen works
for American employer
(except in a contiguous
country with which the U.S.
has an agreement for
unemployment
compensation) or in the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
Fringe benefits. Taxable on excess of fair market value of the benefit over the sum of an amount paid for it
by the employee and any amount excludable by law. However, special valuation rules may
apply. Benefits provided under cafeteria plans may qualify for exclusion from wages for
social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes. See Pub. 15-B for details.
Government employment:
State/local governments and political
subdivisions, employees of:
1. Salaries and wages (includes payments
to most elected and appointed officials.)
See chapter 3 of Pub. 963.
Withhold Generally, taxable for (1)
services performed by
employees who are either
(a) covered under a
section 218 agreement or
(b) not covered under a
section 218 agreement
and not a member of a
public retirement system
(mandatory social security
and Medicare coverage),
and (2) (for Medicare tax
only) for services
performed by employees
hired or rehired after
3/31/86 who aren't covered
under a section 218
agreement or the
mandatory social security
provisions, unless
specifically excluded by
law. See Pub. 963.
Exempt
2. Election workers. Election individuals
are workers who are employed to
perform services for state or local
governments at election booths in
connection with national, state, or local
elections.
Exempt Taxable if paid $1,800 or
more in 2017 (lesser
amount if specified by a
section 218 social security
agreement). See Revenue
Ruling 2000-6.
Exempt
Note. File Form W-2 for payments of
$600 or more even if no social security,
or Medicare taxes were withheld.
3. Emergency workers. Emergency
workers who were hired on a temporary
basis in response to a specific
unforeseen emergency and aren't
intended to become permanent
employees.
Withhold Exempt if serving on a
temporary basis in case of
fire, storm, snow,
earthquake, flood, or
similar emergency.
Exempt
U.S. federal government employees. Withhold Taxable for Medicare.
Taxable for social security
unless hired before 1984.
See section 3121(b)(5).
Exempt
Page 38 Publication 15 (2017)
Special Classes of Employment and
Special Types of Payments Treatment Under Employment Taxes
Income Tax Withholding Social Security and
Medicare (including
Additional Medicare Tax
when wages are paid in
excess of $200,000)
FUTA
Homeworkers (industrial, cottage
industry):
1. Common law employees. Withhold Taxable Taxable
2. Statutory employees. See section 2 for
details. Exempt Taxable if paid $100 or
more in cash in a year. Exempt
Hospital employees:
1. Interns. Withhold Taxable Exempt
2. Patients. Withhold Taxable (Exempt for state
or local government
hospitals.)
Exempt
Household employees:
1. Domestic service in private homes.
Farmers, see Pub. 51. Exempt (withhold if both
employer and employee
agree).
Taxable if paid $2,000 or
more in cash in 2017.
Exempt if performed by an
individual under age 18
during any portion of the
calendar year and isn't the
principal occupation of the
employee.
Taxable if employer paid
total cash wages of $1,000
or more in any quarter in the
current or preceding
calendar year.
2. Domestic service in college clubs,
fraternities, and sororities. Exempt (withhold if both
employer and employee
agree).
Exempt if paid to regular
student; also exempt if
employee is paid less than
$100 in a year by an
income-tax-exempt
employer.
Taxable if employer paid
total cash wages of $1,000
or more in any quarter in the
current or preceding
calendar year.
Insurance for employees:
1. Accident and health insurance
premiums under a plan or system for
employees and their dependents
generally or for a class or classes of
employees and their dependents.
Exempt (except 2%
shareholder-employees of S
corporations).
Exempt Exempt
2. Group-term life insurance costs. See
Pub. 15-B for details Exempt Exempt, except for the
cost of group-term life
insurance includible in the
employee's gross income.
Special rules apply for
former employees.
Exempt
Insurance agents or solicitors:
1. Full-time life insurance salesperson. Withhold only if employee
under common law. See
section 2.
Taxable Taxable if (1) employee
under common law and (2)
not paid solely by
commissions.
2. Other salesperson of life, casualty, etc.,
insurance. Withhold only if employee
under common law. Taxable only if employee
under common law. Taxable if (1) employee
under common law and (2)
not paid solely by
commissions.
Interest on loans with belowmarket
interest rates (foregone interest and deemed
original issue discount).
See Pub. 15-A.
Leavesharing plans: Amounts paid to an
employee under a leave-sharing plan. Withhold Taxable Taxable
Newspaper carriers and vendors:
Newspaper carriers under age 18; newspaper
and magazine vendors buying at fixed prices
and retaining receipts from sales to
customers. See Pub. 15-A for information on
statutory nonemployee status.
Exempt (withhold if both
employer and employee
voluntarily agree).
Exempt Exempt
Publication 15 (2017) Page 39
Special Classes of Employment and
Special Types of Payments Treatment Under Employment Taxes
Income Tax Withholding Social Security and
Medicare (including
Additional Medicare Tax
when wages are paid in
excess of $200,000)
FUTA
Noncash payments:
1. For household work, agricultural labor,
and service not in the course of the
employer's trade or business.
Exempt (withhold if both
employer and employee
voluntarily agree).
Exempt Exempt
2. To certain retail commission
salespersons ordinarily paid solely on a
cash commission basis.
Optional with employer,
except to the extent
employee's supplemental
wages during the year
exceed $1 million.
Taxable Taxable
Nonprofit organizations. See Pub. 15-A.
Officers or shareholders of an S
Corporation: Distributions and other
payments by an S corporation to a corporate
officer or shareholder must be treated as
wages to the extent the amounts are
reasonable compensation for services to the
corporation by an employee. See the
Instructions for Form 1120S.
Withhold Taxable Taxable
Partners: Payments to general or limited
partners of a partnership. See Pub. 541 for
partner reporting rules.
Exempt Exempt Exempt
Railroads: Payments subject to the Railroad
Retirement Act. See Pub. 915 for more details. Withhold Exempt Exempt
Religious exemptions. See Pub. 15-A and Pub. 517.
Retirement and pension plans:
1. Employer contributions to a qualified
plan. Exempt Exempt Exempt
2. Elective employee contributions and
deferrals to a plan containing a qualified
cash or deferred compensation
arrangement (for example, 401(k)).
Generally exempt, but see
section 402(g) for limitation. Taxable Taxable
3. Employer contributions to individual
retirement accounts under simplified
employee pension plan (SEP).
Generally exempt, but see
section 402(g) for salary
reduction SEP limitation.
Exempt, except for amounts contributed under a salary
reduction SEP agreement.
4. Employer contributions to section
403(b) annuities. Generally exempt, but see
section 402(g) for limitation. Taxable if paid through a salary reduction agreement
(written or otherwise).
5. Employee salary reduction contributions
to a SIMPLE retirement account. Exempt Taxable Taxable
6. Distributions from qualified retirement
and pension plans and section 403(b)
annuities. See Pub. 15-A for information
on pensions, annuities, and employer
contributions to nonqualified deferred
compensation arrangements.
Withhold, but recipient may
elect exemption on Form
W-4P in certain cases;
mandatory 20% withholding
applies to an eligible rollover
distribution that isn't a direct
rollover; exempt for direct
rollover. See Pub. 15-A.
Exempt Exempt
7. Employer contributions to a section
457(b) plan. Generally exempt but see
section 402(g) limitation. Taxable Taxable
8. Employee salary reduction contributions
to a section 457(b) plan. Generally exempt but see
section 402(g) salary
reduction limitation.
Taxable Taxable
Salespersons:
1. Common law employees. Withhold Taxable Taxable
2. Statutory employees. Exempt Taxable Taxable, except for full-time
life insurance sales agents.
3. Statutory nonemployees (qualified real
estate agents, direct sellers, and certain
companion sitters). See Pub. 15-A for
details.
Exempt Exempt Exempt
Page 40 Publication 15 (2017)
Special Classes of Employment and
Special Types of Payments Treatment Under Employment Taxes
Income Tax Withholding Social Security and
Medicare (including
Additional Medicare Tax
when wages are paid in
excess of $200,000)
FUTA
Scholarships and fellowship grants
(includible in income under section
117(c)).
Withhold Taxability depends on the nature of the employment and
the status of the organization. See Students, scholars,
trainees, teachers, etc. below.
Severance or dismissal pay. Withhold Taxable Taxable
Service not in the course of the
employer's trade or business (other than
on a farm operated for profit or for
household employment in private homes).
Withhold only if employee
earns $50 or more in cash in
a quarter and works on 24 or
more different days in that
quarter or in the preceding
quarter.
Taxable if employee
receives $100 or more in
cash in a calendar year.
Taxable only if employee
earns $50 or more in cash in
a quarter and works on 24
or more different days in
that quarter or in the
preceding quarter.
Sick pay. See Pub. 15-A for more information. Withhold Exempt after end of 6 calendar months after the calendar
month employee last worked for employer.
Students, scholars, trainees, teachers,
etc.:
1. Student enrolled and regularly attending
classes, performing services for:
a. Private school, college, or
university. Withhold Exempt Exempt
b. Auxiliary nonprofit organization
operated for and controlled by
school, college, or university.
Withhold Exempt unless services
are covered by a section
218 (Social Security Act)
agreement.
Exempt
c. Public school, college, or
university. Withhold Exempt unless services
are covered by a section
218 (Social Security Act)
agreement.
Exempt
2. Full-time student performing service for
academic credit, combining instruction
with work experience as an integral part
of the program.
Withhold Taxable Exempt unless program was
established for or on behalf
of an employer or group of
employers.
3. Student nurse performing part-time
services for nominal earnings at hospital
as incidental part of training.
Withhold Exempt Exempt
4. Student employed by organized camps. Withhold Taxable Exempt
5. Student, scholar, trainee, teacher, etc.,
as nonimmigrant alien under section
101(a)(15)(F), (J), (M), or (Q) of
Immigration and Nationality Act (that is,
aliens holding F-1, J-1, M-1, or Q-1
visas).
Withhold unless excepted by
regulations. Exempt if service is performed for purpose specified in
section 101(a)(15)(F), (J), (M), or (Q) of Immigration and
Nationality Act. However, these taxes may apply if the
employee becomes a resident alien. See the special
residency tests for exempt individuals in chapter 1 of Pub.
519.
Supplemental unemployment
compensation plan benefits. Withhold Exempt under certain conditions. See Pub. 15-A.
Tips:
1. If $20 or more in a month. Withhold Taxable Taxable for all tips reported
in writing to employer.
2. If less than $20 in a month. See section
6 for more information. Exempt Exempt Exempt
Worker's compensation. Exempt Exempt Exempt
Publication 15 (2017) Page 41
16. Third Party Payer
Arrangements
An employer may outsource some or all of its federal em-
ployment tax withholding, reporting and payment obliga-
tions. An employer who outsources payroll and related tax
duties (that is, withholding, reporting, and paying over so-
cial security, Medicare, FUTA, and income taxes) to a
third party payer, generally will remain responsible for
those duties, including liability for the taxes. However, see
Certified professional employer organization (CPEO),
later, for an exception.
If an employer outsources some or all of its payroll re-
sponsibilities, the employer should consider the following
information.
The employer remains responsible for federal tax de-
posits and other federal tax payments even though the
employer may forward the tax amounts to the third
party payer to make the deposits and payments. If the
third party fails to make the deposits and payments,
the IRS may assess penalties and interest on the em-
ployer’s account. As the employer, you may be liable
for all taxes, penalties, and interest due. The employer
may also be held personally liable for certain unpaid
federal taxes.
If the employer’s account has any issues, the IRS will
send correspondence to the employer at the address
of record. We strongly recommend that the employer
maintain its address as the address of record with the
IRS. Having correspondence sent to the address of
the third party payer may significantly limit the em-
ployer’s ability to be informed about tax matters involv-
ing the employer’s business.
The following are common third party payers who an
employer may contract with to perform payroll and related
tax duties.
Payroll service provider (PSP).
Reporting agent.
Agent with approved Form 2678.
Payer designated under section 3504.
Certified Professional Employer Organization.
Payroll service provider (PSP). A PSP helps adminis-
ter payroll and payroll related tax duties on behalf of the
employer. A PSP may prepare paychecks for employees,
prepare and file employment tax returns, prepare Form
W-2, and make federal tax deposits and other federal tax
payments. A PSP performs these functions using the EIN
of the employer. A PSP isn't liable as either an employer
or an agent of the employer for the employer’s employ-
ment taxes. If an employer is using a PSP to perform its
tax duties, the employer remains liable for its employment
tax obligations, including liability for employment taxes.
An employer who uses a PSP should ensure the PSP is
using EFTPS to make federal tax deposits on behalf of the
employer so the employer can confirm that the payments
are being made on its behalf.
Reporting agent. A reporting agent is a type of PSP. A
reporting agent helps administer payroll and payroll rela-
ted tax duties on behalf of the employer, including authori-
zation to electronically sign and file forms set forth on
Form 8655. An employer uses Form 8655 to authorize a
reporting agent to perform functions on behalf of the em-
ployer. A reporting agent performs these functions using
the EIN of the employer. A reporting agent isn't liable as
either an employer or an agent of the employer for the em-
ployer’s employment taxes. If an employer is using a re-
porting agent to perform its tax duties, the employer re-
mains liable for its employment obligations, including
liability for employment taxes.
A reporting agent must use EFTPS to make federal tax
deposits on behalf of an employer. The employer has ac-
cess to EFTPS to confirm federal tax deposits were made
on its behalf.
For more information on reporting agents, see Revenue
Procedure 2012-32, 2012-34 I.R.B. 267, at IRS.gov/irb/
2012-34_IRB/ar08.html and Pub. 1474, Technical Specifi-
cations Guide for Reporting Agent Authorization and Fed-
eral Tax Depositors.
Agent with an approved Form 2678. An agent with an
approved Form 2678 helps administer payroll and related
tax duties on behalf of the employer. An agent authorized
under section 3504 may pay wages or compensation to
some or all of the employees of an employer, prepare and
file employment tax returns as set forth on Form 2678,
prepare Form W-2, and make federal tax deposits and
other federal tax payments. An employer uses Form 2678
to request authorization to appoint an agent to perform
functions on behalf of the employer. An agent with an ap-
proved Form 2678 is authorized to perform these func-
tions using its own EIN. The agent files a Schedule R
(Form 941) to allocate wages and taxes to the employers
it represents as an agent.
If an employer is using an agent with an approved Form
2678 to perform its tax duties, the agent and the employer
are jointly liable for the employment taxes and related tax
duties for which the agent is authorized to perform.
Form 2678 doesn't apply to FUTA taxes reportable on
Form 940 unless the employer is a home care service re-
cipient receiving home care services through a program
administered by a federal, state, or local government
agency.
For more information on an agent with an approved
Form 2678, see Revenue Procedure 2013-39, 2013-52
I.R.B. 830, at IRS.gov/irb/2013-52_IRB/ar15.html.
Payer designated under section 3504. In certain cir-
cumstances, the IRS may designate a third party payer to
perform the acts of an employer. The IRS will designate a
third party payer on behalf of an employer if the third party
has a service agreement with the employer. A service
agreement is an agreement between the third party payer
and an employer in which the third party payer (1) asserts
it is the employer of individuals performing services for the
employer; (2) pays wages to the individuals that perform
Page 42 Publication 15 (2017)
services for the employer; and (3) assumes responsibility
to withhold, report, and pay federal employment taxes for
the wages it pays to the individuals that perform services
for the employer.
A payer designated under section 3504 performs tax
duties under the service agreement using its own EIN. If
the IRS designates a third party payer under section 3504,
the designated payer and the employer are jointly liable
for the employment taxes and related tax duties for which
the third party payer is designated.
For more information on a payer designated under sec-
tion 3504, see Regulations section 31.3504-2.
Certified professional employer organization
(CPEO). The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 re-
quired the IRS to establish a voluntary certification pro-
gram for professional employer organizations (PEOs).
PEOs handle various payroll administration and tax re-
porting responsibilities for their business clients and are
typically paid a fee based on payroll costs. To become
and remain certified under the certification program, certi-
fied professional employer organizations (CPEOs) must
meet tax status, background, experience, business loca-
tion, financial reporting, bonding, and other requirements
described in sections 3511 and 7705 and related pub-
lished guidance. The IRS began accepting applications
for PEO certification in July 2016. Certification as a CPEO
affects the employment tax liabilities of both the CPEO
and its customers. A CPEO is generally treated as the em-
ployer of any individual performing services for a cus-
tomer of the CPEO and covered by a contract described
in section 7705(e)(2) between the CPEO and the cus-
tomer (CPEO contract), but only for wages and other com-
pensation paid to the individual by the CPEO. However,
with respect to certain employees covered by a CPEO
contract, a customer may also be treated as an employer
of the employees and, consequently, may also be liable
for federal employment taxes imposed on wages and
other compensation paid by the CPEO to such employ-
ees. For more information, visit IRS.gov and enter “CPEO”
in the search box.
17. How To Use the Income
Tax Withholding Tables
There are several ways to figure income tax withholding.
The following methods of withholding are based on the in-
formation you get from your employees on Form W-4. See
section 9 for more information on Form W-4.
Adjustments aren't required when there will be
more than the usual number of pay periods, for
example, 27 biweekly pay dates instead of 26.
Wage Bracket Method
Under the wage bracket method, find the proper table (on
pages 47–66) for your payroll period and the employee's
marital status as shown on his or her Form W-4. Then,TIP
based on the number of withholding allowances claimed
on the Form W-4 and the amount of wages, find the
amount of income tax to withhold. If your employee is
claiming more than 10 withholding allowances, see below.
If you can't use the wage bracket tables because wa-
ges exceed the amount shown in the last bracket of the ta-
ble, use the percentage method of withholding described
below. Be sure to reduce wages by the amount of total
withholding allowances in Table 5 before using the per-
centage method tables (pages 45–46).
Adjusting wage bracket withholding for employees
claiming more than 10 withholding allowances. The
wage bracket tables can be used if an employee claims
up to 10 allowances. More than 10 allowances may be
claimed because of the special withholding allowance, ad-
ditional allowances for deductions and credits, and the
system itself.
Adapt the tables to more than 10 allowances as fol-
lows:
1. Multiply the number of withholding allowances over
10 by the allowance value for the payroll period. The
allowance values are in Table 5, later.
2. Subtract the result from the employee's wages.
3. On this amount, find and withhold the tax in the col-
umn for 10 allowances.
This is a voluntary method. If you use the wage bracket
tables, you may continue to withhold the amount in the
“10” column when your employee has more than 10 allow-
ances, using the method above. You can also use any
other method described next.
Percentage Method
If you don't want to use the wage bracket tables on pages
47–66 to figure how much income tax to withhold, you can
use a percentage computation based on Table 5, later,
and the appropriate rate table. This method works for any
number of withholding allowances the employee claims
and any amount of wages.
Use these steps to figure the income tax to withhold un-
der the percentage method.
1. Multiply one withholding allowance for your payroll
period (see Table 5, later) by the number of allowan-
ces the employee claims.
2. Subtract that amount from the employee's wages.
3. Determine the amount to withhold from the appropri-
ate table on pages 45–46.
Publication 15 (2017) Page 43
Table 5. Percentage Method—2017 Amount
for One Withholding Allowance
Payroll Period One Withholding
Allowance
Weekly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 77.90
Biweekly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155.80
Semimonthly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168.80
Monthly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337.50
Quarterly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,012.50
Semiannually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,025.00
Annually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,050.00
Daily or miscellaneous (each day of the payroll
period) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.60
Example. An unmarried employee is paid $800
weekly. This employee has in effect a Form W-4 claiming
two withholding allowances. Using the percentage
method, figure the income tax to withhold as follows:
1. Total wage payment . . . . . . . . . . . $800.00
2. One allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $77.90
3. Allowances claimed on Form W-4 . . 2
4. Multiply line 2 by line 3 . . . . . . . . . $155.80
5 Amount subject to withholding
(subtract line 4 from line 1) . . . . . . . $644.20
6. Tax to be withheld on $644.20 from
Table 1—single person, page 45 . . . $81.03
To figure the income tax to withhold, you may reduce
the last digit of the wages to zero, or figure the wages to
the nearest dollar.
Annual income tax withholding. Figure the income tax
to withhold on annual wages under the Percentage
Method for an annual payroll period. Then prorate the tax
back to the payroll period.
Example. A married person claims four withholding al-
lowances. She is paid $1,000 a week. Multiply the weekly
wages by 52 weeks to figure the annual wage of $52,000.
Subtract $16,200 (the value of four withholding allowan-
ces for 2017) for a balance of $35,800. Using the table for
the annual payroll period on page 46, $3,140 is withheld.
Divide the annual tax by 52. The weekly income tax to
withhold is $60.38.
Alternative Methods of Income Tax
Withholding
Rather than the Wage Bracket Method or Percentage
Method described in this section, you can use an alterna-
tive method to withhold income tax. Pub. 15-A describes
these alternative methods and contains:
Formula tables for percentage method withholding (for
automated payroll systems),
Wage bracket percentage method tables (for automa-
ted payroll systems), and
Combined income, social security, and Medicare tax
withholding tables.
Some of the alternative methods explained in Pub.
15-A are annualized wages, average estimated wages,
cumulative wages, and part-year employment.
Page 44 Publication 15 (2017)
Percentage Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
(For Wages Paid in 2017)
TABLE 1—WEEKLY Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
Not over $ 44 . . . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $166 . . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$44 —$224 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$44 $166 —$525 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$166
$224 —$774 . . $18.00 plus 15% —$224 $525 —$1,626 . . $35.90 plus 15% —$525
$774 —$1,812 . . $100.50 plus 25% —$774 $1,626 —$3,111 . . $201.05 plus 25% —$1,626
$1,812 —$3,730 . . $360.00 plus 28% —$1,812 $3,111 —$4,654 . . $572.30 plus 28% —$3,111
$3,730 —$8,058 . . $897.04 plus 33% —$3,730 $4,654 —$8,180 . . $1,004.34 plus 33% —$4,654
$8,058 —$8,090 . . $2,325.28 plus 35% —$8,058 $8,180 —$9,218 . . $2,167.92 plus 35% —$8,180
$8,090 . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,336.48 plus 39.6% —$8,090 $9,218 . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,531.22 plus 39.6% —$9,218
TABLE 2—BIWEEKLY Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
Not over $88 . . . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $333 . . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$88 —$447 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$88 $333 —$1,050 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$333
$447 —$1,548 . . $35.90 plus 15% —$447 $1,050 —$3,252 . . $71.70 plus 15% —$1,050
$1,548 —$3,623 . . $201.05 plus 25% —$1,548 $3,252 —$6,221 . . $402.00 plus 25% —$3,252
$3,623 —$7,460 . . $719.80 plus 28% —$3,623 $6,221 —$9,308 . . $1,144.25 plus 28% —$6,221
$7,460 —$16,115 . . $1,794.16 plus 33% —$7,460 $9,308 —$16,360 . . $2,008.61 plus 33% —$9,308
$16,115 —$16,181 . . $4,650.31 plus 35% —$16,115 $16,360 —$18,437 . . $4,335.77 plus 35% —$16,360
$16,181 . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,673.41 plus 39.6% —$16,181 $18,437 . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,062.72 plus 39.6% —$18,437
TABLE 3—SEMIMONTHLY Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
Not over $96 . . . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $360 . . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$96 —$484 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$96 $360 —$1,138 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$360
$484 —$1,677 . . $38.80 plus 15% —$484 $1,138 —$3,523 . . $77.80 plus 15% —$1,138
$1,677 —$3,925 . . $217.75 plus 25% —$1,677 $3,523 —$6,740 . . $435.55 plus 25% —$3,523
$3,925 —$8,081 . . $779.75 plus 28% —$3,925 $6,740 —$10,083 . . $1,239.80 plus 28% —$6,740
$8,081 —$17,458 . . $1,943.43 plus 33% —$8,081 $10,083 —$17,723 . . $2,175.84 plus 33% —$10,083
$17,458 —$17,529 . . $5,037.84 plus 35% —$17,458 $17,723 —$19,973 . . $4,697.04 plus 35% —$17,723
$17,529 . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,062.69 plus 39.6% —$17,529 $19,973 . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,484.54 plus 39.6% —$19,973
TABLE 4—MONTHLY Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
Not over $192 . . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $721 . . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$192 —$969 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$192 $721 —$2,275 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$721
$969 —$3,354 . . $77.70 plus 15% —$969 $2,275 —$7,046 . . $155.40 plus 15% —$2,275
$3,354 —$7,850 . . $435.45 plus 25% —$3,354 $7,046 —$13,479 . . $871.05 plus 25% —$7,046
$7,850 —$16,163 . . $1,559.45 plus 28% —$7,850 $13,479 —$20,167 . . $2,479.30 plus 28% —$13,479
$16,163 —$34,917 . . $3,887.09 plus 33% —$16,163 $20,167 —$35,446 . . $4,351.94 plus 33% —$20,167
$34,917 —$35,058 . . $10,075.91 plus 35% —$34,917 $35,446 —$39,946 . . $9,394.01 plus 35% —$35,446
$35,058 . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,125.26 plus 39.6% —$35,058 $39,946 . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,969.01 plus 39.6% —$39,946
Publication 15 (2017) Page 45
Percentage Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding (continued)
(For Wages Paid in 2017)
TABLE 5—QUARTERLY Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
Not over $575 . . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $2,163 . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$575 —$2,906 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$575 $2,163 —$6,825 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$2,163
$2,906 —$10,063 . . $233.10 plus 15% —$2,906 $6,825 —$21,138 . . $466.20 plus 15% —$6,825
$10,063 —$23,550 . . $1,306.65 plus 25% —$10,063 $21,138 —$40,438 . . $2,613.15 plus 25% —$21,138
$23,550 —$48,488 . . $4,678.40 plus 28% —$23,550 $40,438 —$60,500 . . $7,438.15 plus 28% —$40,438
$48,488 —$104,750 . . $11,661.04 plus 33% —$48,488 $60,500 —$106,338 . . $13,055.51 plus 33% —$60,500
$104,750 —$105,175 . . $30,227.50 plus 35% —$104,750 $106,338 —$119,838 . . $28,182.05 plus 35% —$106,338
$105,175 . . . . . . . . . . . . $30,376.25 plus 39.6% —$105,175 $119,838 . . . . . . . . . . . . $32,907.05 plus 39.6% —$119,838
TABLE 6—SEMIANNUAL Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
Not over $1,150 . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $4,325 . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$1,150 —$5,813 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$1,150 $4,325 —$13,650 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$4,325
$5,813 —$20,125 . . $466.30 plus 15% —$5,813 $13,650 —$42,275 . . $932.50 plus 15% —$13,650
$20,125 —$47,100 . . $2,613.10 plus 25% —$20,125 $42,275 —$80,875 . . $5,226.25 plus 25% —$42,275
$47,100 —$96,975 . . $9,356.85 plus 28% —$47,100 $80,875 —$121,000 . . $14,876.25 plus 28% —$80,875
$96,975 —$209,500 . . $23,321.85 plus 33% —$96,975 $121,000 —$212,675 . . $26,111.25 plus 33% —$121,000
$209,500 —$210,350 . . $60,455.10 plus 35% —$209,500 $212,675 —$239,675 . . $56,364.00 plus 35% —$212,675
$210,350 . . . . . . . . . . . . $60,752.60 plus 39.6% —$210,350 $239,675 . . . . . . . . . . . . $65,814.00 plus 39.6% —$239,675
TABLE 7—ANNUAL Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances) is: The amount of income tax
to withhold is:
Not over $2,300 . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $8,650 . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$2,300 —$11,625 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$2,300 $8,650 —$27,300 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$8,650
$11,625 —$40,250 . . $932.50 plus 15% —$11,625 $27,300 —$84,550 . . $1,865.00 plus 15% —$27,300
$40,250 —$94,200 . . $5,226.25 plus 25% —$40,250 $84,550 —$161,750 . . $10,452.50 plus 25% —$84,550
$94,200 —$193,950 . . $18,713.75 plus 28% —$94,200 $161,750 —$242,000 . . $29,752.50 plus 28% —$161,750
$193,950 —$419,000 . . $46,643.75 plus 33% —$193,950 $242,000 —$425,350 . . $52,222.50 plus 33% —$242,000
$419,000 —$420,700 . . $120,910.25 plus 35% —$419,000 $425,350 —$479,350 . . $112,728.00 plus 35% —$425,350
$420,700 . . . . . . . . . . . . $121,505.25 plus 39.6% —$420,700 $479,350 . . . . . . . . . . . . $131,628.00 plus 39.6% —$479,350
TABLE 8—DAILY or MISCELLANEOUS Payroll Period
(a) SINGLE person (including head of household)— (b) MARRIED person—
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances)
divided by the number of
days in the payroll period is: The amount of income tax
to withhold per day is:
If the amount of wages
(after subtracting
withholding allowances)
divided by the number of
days in the payroll period is: The amount of income tax
to withhold per day is:
Not over $8.80 . . . . . . . . . $0 Not over $33.30 . . . . . . . . $0
Over— But not over— of excess over— Over— But not over— of excess over—
$8.80 —$44.70 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$8.80 $33.30 —$105.00 . . $0.00 plus 10% —$33.30
$44.70 —$154.80 . . $3.59 plus 15% —$44.70 $105.00 —$325.20 . . $7.17 plus 15% —$105.00
$154.80 —$362.30 . . $20.11 plus 25% —$154.80 $325.20 —$622.10 . . $40.20 plus 25% —$325.20
$362.30 —$746.00 . . $71.99 plus 28% —$362.30 $622.10 —$930.80 . . $114.43 plus 28% —$622.10
$746.00 —$1,611.50 . . $179.43 plus 33% —$746.00 $930.80 —$1,636.00 . . $200.87 plus 33% —$930.80
$1,611.50 —$1,618.10 . . $465.05 plus 35% —$1,611.50 $1,636.00 —$1,843.70 . . $433.59 plus 35% —$1,636.00
$1,618.10 . . . . . . . . . . . . $467.36 plus 39.6% —$1,618.10 $1,843.70 . . . . . . . . . . . . $506.29 plus 39.6% —$1,843.70
Page 46 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—WEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $55 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
55 60 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
60 65 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
65 70 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70 75 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
75 80 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
80 85 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
85 90 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
90 95 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
95 100 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
100 105 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
105 110 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
110 115 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
115 120 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
120 125 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
125 130 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
130 135 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
135 140 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
140 145 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
145 150 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
150 155 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
155 160 11 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
160 165 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
165 170 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
170 175 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
175 180 13 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
180 185 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
185 190 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
190 195 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
195 200 15 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
200 210 16 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 220 17 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
220 230 18 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
230 240 20 11 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
240 250 21 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
250 260 23 13 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
260 270 24 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
270 280 26 15 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
280 290 27 16 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
290 300 29 17 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 310 30 18 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
310 320 32 20 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
320 330 33 21 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
330 340 35 23 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
340 350 36 24 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
350 360 38 26 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
360 370 39 27 17 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
370 380 41 29 18 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
380 390 42 30 19 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
390 400 44 32 20 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
400 410 45 33 22 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
410 420 47 35 23 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
420 430 48 36 25 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
430 440 50 38 26 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
440 450 51 39 28 17 9 1 0 0 0 0 0
450 460 53 41 29 18 10 2 0 0 0 0 0
460 470 54 42 31 19 11 3 0 0 0 0 0
470 480 56 44 32 21 12 4 0 0 0 0 0
480 490 57 45 34 22 13 5 0 0 0 0 0
490 500 59 47 35 24 14 6 0 0 0 0 0
500 510 60 48 37 25 15 7 0 0 0 0 0
510 520 62 50 38 27 16 8 0 0 0 0 0
520 530 63 51 40 28 17 9 1 0 0 0 0
530 540 65 53 41 30 18 10 2 0 0 0 0
540 550 66 54 43 31 19 11 3 0 0 0 0
550 560 68 56 44 33 21 12 4 0 0 0 0
560 570 69 57 46 34 22 13 5 0 0 0 0
570 580 71 59 47 36 24 14 6 0 0 0 0
580 590 72 60 49 37 25 15 7 0 0 0 0
590 600 74 62 50 39 27 16 8 1 0 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 47
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—WEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$600 $610 $75 $63 $52 $40 $28 $17 $9 $2 $0 $0 $0
610 620 77 65 53 42 30 18 10 3 0 0 0
620 630 78 66 55 43 31 20 11 4 0 0 0
630 640 80 68 56 45 33 21 12 5 0 0 0
640 650 81 69 58 46 34 23 13 6 0 0 0
650 660 83 71 59 48 36 24 14 7 0 0 0
660 670 84 72 61 49 37 26 15 8 0 0 0
670 680 86 74 62 51 39 27 16 9 1 0 0
680 690 87 75 64 52 40 29 17 10 2 0 0
690 700 89 77 65 54 42 30 19 11 3 0 0
700 710 90 78 67 55 43 32 20 12 4 0 0
710 720 92 80 68 57 45 33 22 13 5 0 0
720 730 93 81 70 58 46 35 23 14 6 0 0
730 740 95 83 71 60 48 36 25 15 7 0 0
740 750 96 84 73 61 49 38 26 16 8 0 0
750 760 98 86 74 63 51 39 28 17 9 1 0
760 770 99 87 76 64 52 41 29 18 10 2 0
770 780 101 89 77 66 54 42 31 19 11 3 0
780 790 103 90 79 67 55 44 32 20 12 4 0
790 800 106 92 80 69 57 45 34 22 13 5 0
800 810 108 93 82 70 58 47 35 23 14 6 0
810 820 111 95 83 72 60 48 37 25 15 7 0
820 830 113 96 85 73 61 50 38 26 16 8 0
830 840 116 98 86 75 63 51 40 28 17 9 1
840 850 118 99 88 76 64 53 41 29 18 10 2
850 860 121 101 89 78 66 54 43 31 19 11 3
860 870 123 104 91 79 67 56 44 32 21 12 4
870 880 126 106 92 81 69 57 46 34 22 13 5
880 890 128 109 94 82 70 59 47 35 24 14 6
890 900 131 111 95 84 72 60 49 37 25 15 7
900 910 133 114 97 85 73 62 50 38 27 16 8
910 920 136 116 98 87 75 63 52 40 28 17 9
920 930 138 119 100 88 76 65 53 41 30 18 10
930 940 141 121 102 90 78 66 55 43 31 20 11
940 950 143 124 104 91 79 68 56 44 33 21 12
950 960 146 126 107 93 81 69 58 46 34 23 13
960 970 148 129 109 94 82 71 59 47 36 24 14
970 980 151 131 112 96 84 72 61 49 37 26 15
980 990 153 134 114 97 85 74 62 50 39 27 16
990 1,000 156 136 117 99 87 75 64 52 40 29 17
1,000 1,010 158 139 119 100 88 77 65 53 42 30 18
1,010 1,020 161 141 122 102 90 78 67 55 43 32 20
1,020 1,030 163 144 124 105 91 80 68 56 45 33 21
1,030 1,040 166 146 127 107 93 81 70 58 46 35 23
1,040 1,050 168 149 129 110 94 83 71 59 48 36 24
1,050 1,060 171 151 132 112 96 84 73 61 49 38 26
1,060 1,070 173 154 134 115 97 86 74 62 51 39 27
1,070 1,080 176 156 137 117 99 87 76 64 52 41 29
1,080 1,090 178 159 139 120 100 89 77 65 54 42 30
1,090 1,100 181 161 142 122 103 90 79 67 55 44 32
1,100 1,110 183 164 144 125 105 92 80 68 57 45 33
1,110 1,120 186 166 147 127 108 93 82 70 58 47 35
1,120 1,130 188 169 149 130 110 95 83 71 60 48 36
1,130 1,140 191 171 152 132 113 96 85 73 61 50 38
1,140 1,150 193 174 154 135 115 98 86 74 63 51 39
1,150 1,160 196 176 157 137 118 99 88 76 64 53 41
1,160 1,170 198 179 159 140 120 101 89 77 66 54 42
1,170 1,180 201 181 162 142 123 103 91 79 67 56 44
1,180 1,190 203 184 164 145 125 106 92 80 69 57 45
1,190 1,200 206 186 167 147 128 108 94 82 70 59 47
1,200 1,210 208 189 169 150 130 111 95 83 72 60 48
1,210 1,220 211 191 172 152 133 113 97 85 73 62 50
1,220 1,230 213 194 174 155 135 116 98 86 75 63 51
1,230 1,240 216 196 177 157 138 118 100 88 76 65 53
1,240 1,250 218 199 179 160 140 121 101 89 78 66 54
$1,250 and over Use Table 1(a) for a SINGLE person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 48 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—WEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $170 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
170 175 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
175 180 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
180 185 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
185 190 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
190 195 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
195 200 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
200 210 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 220 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
220 230 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
230 240 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
240 250 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
250 260 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
260 270 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
270 280 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
280 290 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
290 300 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 310 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
310 320 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
320 330 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
330 340 17 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
340 350 18 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
350 360 19 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
360 370 20 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
370 380 21 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
380 390 22 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
390 400 23 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
400 410 24 16 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
410 420 25 17 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
420 430 26 18 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
430 440 27 19 11 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
440 450 28 20 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
450 460 29 21 13 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
460 470 30 22 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
470 480 31 23 15 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
480 490 32 24 16 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
490 500 33 25 17 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
500 510 34 26 18 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
510 520 35 27 19 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
520 530 36 28 20 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
530 540 37 29 21 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
540 550 39 30 22 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
550 560 40 31 23 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
560 570 42 32 24 17 9 1 0 0 0 0 0
570 580 43 33 25 18 10 2 0 0 0 0 0
580 590 45 34 26 19 11 3 0 0 0 0 0
590 600 46 35 27 20 12 4 0 0 0 0 0
600 610 48 36 28 21 13 5 0 0 0 0 0
610 620 49 38 29 22 14 6 0 0 0 0 0
620 630 51 39 30 23 15 7 0 0 0 0 0
630 640 52 41 31 24 16 8 0 0 0 0 0
640 650 54 42 32 25 17 9 1 0 0 0 0
650 660 55 44 33 26 18 10 2 0 0 0 0
660 670 57 45 34 27 19 11 3 0 0 0 0
670 680 58 47 35 28 20 12 4 0 0 0 0
680 690 60 48 37 29 21 13 5 0 0 0 0
690 700 61 50 38 30 22 14 6 0 0 0 0
700 710 63 51 40 31 23 15 7 0 0 0 0
710 720 64 53 41 32 24 16 8 0 0 0 0
720 730 66 54 43 33 25 17 9 1 0 0 0
730 740 67 56 44 34 26 18 10 2 0 0 0
740 750 69 57 46 35 27 19 11 3 0 0 0
750 760 70 59 47 36 28 20 12 4 0 0 0
760 770 72 60 49 37 29 21 13 5 0 0 0
770 780 73 62 50 38 30 22 14 6 0 0 0
780 790 75 63 52 40 31 23 15 7 0 0 0
790 800 76 65 53 41 32 24 16 8 1 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 49
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—WEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$800 $810 $78 $66 $55 $43 $33 $25 $17 $9 $2 $0 $0
810 820 79 68 56 44 34 26 18 10 3 0 0
820 830 81 69 58 46 35 27 19 11 4 0 0
830 840 82 71 59 47 36 28 20 12 5 0 0
840 850 84 72 61 49 37 29 21 13 6 0 0
850 860 85 74 62 50 39 30 22 14 7 0 0
860 870 87 75 64 52 40 31 23 15 8 0 0
870 880 88 77 65 53 42 32 24 16 9 1 0
880 890 90 78 67 55 43 33 25 17 10 2 0
890 900 91 80 68 56 45 34 26 18 11 3 0
900 910 93 81 70 58 46 35 27 19 12 4 0
910 920 94 83 71 59 48 36 28 20 13 5 0
920 930 96 84 73 61 49 37 29 21 14 6 0
930 940 97 86 74 62 51 39 30 22 15 7 0
940 950 99 87 76 64 52 40 31 23 16 8 0
950 960 100 89 77 65 54 42 32 24 17 9 1
960 970 102 90 79 67 55 43 33 25 18 10 2
970 980 103 92 80 68 57 45 34 26 19 11 3
980 990 105 93 82 70 58 46 35 27 20 12 4
990 1,000 106 95 83 71 60 48 36 28 21 13 5
1,000 1,010 108 96 85 73 61 49 38 29 22 14 6
1,010 1,020 109 98 86 74 63 51 39 30 23 15 7
1,020 1,030 111 99 88 76 64 52 41 31 24 16 8
1,030 1,040 112 101 89 77 66 54 42 32 25 17 9
1,040 1,050 114 102 91 79 67 55 44 33 26 18 10
1,050 1,060 115 104 92 80 69 57 45 34 27 19 11
1,060 1,070 117 105 94 82 70 58 47 35 28 20 12
1,070 1,080 118 107 95 83 72 60 48 37 29 21 13
1,080 1,090 120 108 97 85 73 61 50 38 30 22 14
1,090 1,100 121 110 98 86 75 63 51 40 31 23 15
1,100 1,110 123 111 100 88 76 64 53 41 32 24 16
1,110 1,120 124 113 101 89 78 66 54 43 33 25 17
1,120 1,130 126 114 103 91 79 67 56 44 34 26 18
1,130 1,140 127 116 104 92 81 69 57 46 35 27 19
1,140 1,150 129 117 106 94 82 70 59 47 36 28 20
1,150 1,160 130 119 107 95 84 72 60 49 37 29 21
1,160 1,170 132 120 109 97 85 73 62 50 38 30 22
1,170 1,180 133 122 110 98 87 75 63 52 40 31 23
1,180 1,190 135 123 112 100 88 76 65 53 41 32 24
1,190 1,200 136 125 113 101 90 78 66 55 43 33 25
1,200 1,210 138 126 115 103 91 79 68 56 44 34 26
1,210 1,220 139 128 116 104 93 81 69 58 46 35 27
1,220 1,230 141 129 118 106 94 82 71 59 47 36 28
1,230 1,240 142 131 119 107 96 84 72 61 49 37 29
1,240 1,250 144 132 121 109 97 85 74 62 50 39 30
1,250 1,260 145 134 122 110 99 87 75 64 52 40 31
1,260 1,270 147 135 124 112 100 88 77 65 53 42 32
1,270 1,280 148 137 125 113 102 90 78 67 55 43 33
1,280 1,290 150 138 127 115 103 91 80 68 56 45 34
1,290 1,300 151 140 128 116 105 93 81 70 58 46 35
1,300 1,310 153 141 130 118 106 94 83 71 59 48 36
1,310 1,320 154 143 131 119 108 96 84 73 61 49 38
1,320 1,330 156 144 133 121 109 97 86 74 62 51 39
1,330 1,340 157 146 134 122 111 99 87 76 64 52 41
1,340 1,350 159 147 136 124 112 100 89 77 65 54 42
1,350 1,360 160 149 137 125 114 102 90 79 67 55 44
1,360 1,370 162 150 139 127 115 103 92 80 68 57 45
1,370 1,380 163 152 140 128 117 105 93 82 70 58 47
1,380 1,390 165 153 142 130 118 106 95 83 71 60 48
1,390 1,400 166 155 143 131 120 108 96 85 73 61 50
1,400 1,410 168 156 145 133 121 109 98 86 74 63 51
1,410 1,420 169 158 146 134 123 111 99 88 76 64 53
1,420 1,430 171 159 148 136 124 112 101 89 77 66 54
1,430 1,440 172 161 149 137 126 114 102 91 79 67 56
1,440 1,450 174 162 151 139 127 115 104 92 80 69 57
1,450 1,460 175 164 152 140 129 117 105 94 82 70 59
1,460 1,470 177 165 154 142 130 118 107 95 83 72 60
1,470 1,480 178 167 155 143 132 120 108 97 85 73 62
1,480 1,490 180 168 157 145 133 121 110 98 86 75 63
$1,490 and over Use Table 1(b) for a MARRIED person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 50 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—BIWEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $105 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
105 110 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
110 115 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
115 120 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
120 125 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
125 130 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
130 135 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
135 140 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
140 145 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
145 150 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
150 155 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
155 160 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
160 165 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
165 170 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
170 175 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
175 180 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
180 185 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
185 190 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
190 195 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
195 200 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
200 205 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
205 210 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 215 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
215 220 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
220 225 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
225 230 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
230 235 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
235 240 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
240 245 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
245 250 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
250 260 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
260 270 18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
270 280 19 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
280 290 20 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
290 300 21 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 310 22 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
310 320 23 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
320 330 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
330 340 25 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
340 350 26 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
350 360 27 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
360 370 28 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
370 380 29 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
380 390 30 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
390 400 31 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
400 410 32 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
410 420 33 17 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
420 430 34 18 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
430 440 35 19 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
440 450 36 20 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
450 460 37 21 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
460 470 39 22 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
470 480 40 23 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
480 490 42 24 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
490 500 43 25 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
500 520 45 27 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
520 540 48 29 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
540 560 51 31 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
560 580 54 33 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
580 600 57 35 19 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
600 620 60 37 21 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
620 640 63 40 23 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
640 660 66 43 25 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
660 680 69 46 27 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
680 700 72 49 29 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
700 720 75 52 31 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
720 740 78 55 33 17 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
740 760 81 58 35 19 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
760 780 84 61 38 21 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
780 800 87 64 41 23 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 51
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—BIWEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$800 $820 $90 $67 $44 $25 $10 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
820 840 93 70 47 27 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
840 860 96 73 50 29 14 0 0 0 0 0 0
860 880 99 76 53 31 16 0 0 0 0 0 0
880 900 102 79 56 33 18 2 0 0 0 0 0
900 920 105 82 59 35 20 4 0 0 0 0 0
920 940 108 85 62 38 22 6 0 0 0 0 0
940 960 111 88 65 41 24 8 0 0 0 0 0
960 980 114 91 68 44 26 10 0 0 0 0 0
980 1,000 117 94 71 47 28 12 0 0 0 0 0
1,000 1,020 120 97 74 50 30 14 0 0 0 0 0
1,020 1,040 123 100 77 53 32 16 1 0 0 0 0
1,040 1,060 126 103 80 56 34 18 3 0 0 0 0
1,060 1,080 129 106 83 59 36 20 5 0 0 0 0
1,080 1,100 132 109 86 62 39 22 7 0 0 0 0
1,100 1,120 135 112 89 65 42 24 9 0 0 0 0
1,120 1,140 138 115 92 68 45 26 11 0 0 0 0
1,140 1,160 141 118 95 71 48 28 13 0 0 0 0
1,160 1,180 144 121 98 74 51 30 15 0 0 0 0
1,180 1,200 147 124 101 77 54 32 17 1 0 0 0
1,200 1,220 150 127 104 80 57 34 19 3 0 0 0
1,220 1,240 153 130 107 83 60 36 21 5 0 0 0
1,240 1,260 156 133 110 86 63 39 23 7 0 0 0
1,260 1,280 159 136 113 89 66 42 25 9 0 0 0
1,280 1,300 162 139 116 92 69 45 27 11 0 0 0
1,300 1,320 165 142 119 95 72 48 29 13 0 0 0
1,320 1,340 168 145 122 98 75 51 31 15 0 0 0
1,340 1,360 171 148 125 101 78 54 33 17 2 0 0
1,360 1,380 174 151 128 104 81 57 35 19 4 0 0
1,380 1,400 177 154 131 107 84 60 37 21 6 0 0
1,400 1,420 180 157 134 110 87 63 40 23 8 0 0
1,420 1,440 183 160 137 113 90 66 43 25 10 0 0
1,440 1,460 186 163 140 116 93 69 46 27 12 0 0
1,460 1,480 189 166 143 119 96 72 49 29 14 0 0
1,480 1,500 192 169 146 122 99 75 52 31 16 0 0
1,500 1,520 195 172 149 125 102 78 55 33 18 2 0
1,520 1,540 198 175 152 128 105 81 58 35 20 4 0
1,540 1,560 201 178 155 131 108 84 61 38 22 6 0
1,560 1,580 206 181 158 134 111 87 64 41 24 8 0
1,580 1,600 211 184 161 137 114 90 67 44 26 10 0
1,600 1,620 216 187 164 140 117 93 70 47 28 12 0
1,620 1,640 221 190 167 143 120 96 73 50 30 14 0
1,640 1,660 226 193 170 146 123 99 76 53 32 16 0
1,660 1,680 231 196 173 149 126 102 79 56 34 18 2
1,680 1,700 236 199 176 152 129 105 82 59 36 20 4
1,700 1,720 241 203 179 155 132 108 85 62 38 22 6
1,720 1,740 246 208 182 158 135 111 88 65 41 24 8
1,740 1,760 251 213 185 161 138 114 91 68 44 26 10
1,760 1,780 256 218 188 164 141 117 94 71 47 28 12
1,780 1,800 261 223 191 167 144 120 97 74 50 30 14
1,800 1,820 266 228 194 170 147 123 100 77 53 32 16
1,820 1,840 271 233 197 173 150 126 103 80 56 34 18
1,840 1,860 276 238 200 176 153 129 106 83 59 36 20
1,860 1,880 281 243 204 179 156 132 109 86 62 39 22
1,880 1,900 286 248 209 182 159 135 112 89 65 42 24
1,900 1,920 291 253 214 185 162 138 115 92 68 45 26
1,920 1,940 296 258 219 188 165 141 118 95 71 48 28
1,940 1,960 301 263 224 191 168 144 121 98 74 51 30
1,960 1,980 306 268 229 194 171 147 124 101 77 54 32
1,980 2,000 311 273 234 197 174 150 127 104 80 57 34
2,000 2,020 316 278 239 200 177 153 130 107 83 60 37
2,020 2,040 321 283 244 205 180 156 133 110 86 63 40
2,040 2,060 326 288 249 210 183 159 136 113 89 66 43
2,060 2,080 331 293 254 215 186 162 139 116 92 69 46
2,080 2,100 336 298 259 220 189 165 142 119 95 72 49
$2,100 and over Use Table 2(a) for a SINGLE person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 52 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—BIWEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $340 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
340 350 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
350 360 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
360 370 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
370 380 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
380 390 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
390 400 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
400 410 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
410 420 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
420 430 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
430 440 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
440 450 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
450 460 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
460 470 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
470 480 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
480 490 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
490 500 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
500 520 18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
520 540 20 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
540 560 22 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
560 580 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
580 600 26 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
600 620 28 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
620 640 30 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
640 660 32 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
660 680 34 18 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
680 700 36 20 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
700 720 38 22 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
720 740 40 24 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
740 760 42 26 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
760 780 44 28 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
780 800 46 30 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
800 820 48 32 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
820 840 50 34 19 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
840 860 52 36 21 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
860 880 54 38 23 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
880 900 56 40 25 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
900 920 58 42 27 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
920 940 60 44 29 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
940 960 62 46 31 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
960 980 64 48 33 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
980 1,000 66 50 35 19 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,000 1,020 68 52 37 21 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,020 1,040 70 54 39 23 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,040 1,060 72 56 41 25 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,060 1,080 75 58 43 27 11 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,080 1,100 78 60 45 29 13 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,100 1,120 81 62 47 31 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,120 1,140 84 64 49 33 17 2 0 0 0 0 0
1,140 1,160 87 66 51 35 19 4 0 0 0 0 0
1,160 1,180 90 68 53 37 21 6 0 0 0 0 0
1,180 1,200 93 70 55 39 23 8 0 0 0 0 0
1,200 1,220 96 72 57 41 25 10 0 0 0 0 0
1,220 1,240 99 75 59 43 27 12 0 0 0 0 0
1,240 1,260 102 78 61 45 29 14 0 0 0 0 0
1,260 1,280 105 81 63 47 31 16 0 0 0 0 0
1,280 1,300 108 84 65 49 33 18 2 0 0 0 0
1,300 1,320 111 87 67 51 35 20 4 0 0 0 0
1,320 1,340 114 90 69 53 37 22 6 0 0 0 0
1,340 1,360 117 93 71 55 39 24 8 0 0 0 0
1,360 1,380 120 96 73 57 41 26 10 0 0 0 0
1,380 1,400 123 99 76 59 43 28 12 0 0 0 0
1,400 1,420 126 102 79 61 45 30 14 0 0 0 0
1,420 1,440 129 105 82 63 47 32 16 1 0 0 0
1,440 1,460 132 108 85 65 49 34 18 3 0 0 0
1,460 1,480 135 111 88 67 51 36 20 5 0 0 0
1,480 1,500 138 114 91 69 53 38 22 7 0 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 53
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—BIWEEKLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$1,500 $1,520 $141 $117 $94 $71 $55 $40 $24 $9 $0 $0 $0
1,520 1,540 144 120 97 74 57 42 26 11 0 0 0
1,540 1,560 147 123 100 77 59 44 28 13 0 0 0
1,560 1,580 150 126 103 80 61 46 30 15 0 0 0
1,580 1,600 153 129 106 83 63 48 32 17 1 0 0
1,600 1,620 156 132 109 86 65 50 34 19 3 0 0
1,620 1,640 159 135 112 89 67 52 36 21 5 0 0
1,640 1,660 162 138 115 92 69 54 38 23 7 0 0
1,660 1,680 165 141 118 95 71 56 40 25 9 0 0
1,680 1,700 168 144 121 98 74 58 42 27 11 0 0
1,700 1,720 171 147 124 101 77 60 44 29 13 0 0
1,720 1,740 174 150 127 104 80 62 46 31 15 0 0
1,740 1,760 177 153 130 107 83 64 48 33 17 2 0
1,760 1,780 180 156 133 110 86 66 50 35 19 4 0
1,780 1,800 183 159 136 113 89 68 52 37 21 6 0
1,800 1,820 186 162 139 116 92 70 54 39 23 8 0
1,820 1,840 189 165 142 119 95 72 56 41 25 10 0
1,840 1,860 192 168 145 122 98 75 58 43 27 12 0
1,860 1,880 195 171 148 125 101 78 60 45 29 14 0
1,880 1,900 198 174 151 128 104 81 62 47 31 16 0
1,900 1,920 201 177 154 131 107 84 64 49 33 18 2
1,920 1,940 204 180 157 134 110 87 66 51 35 20 4
1,940 1,960 207 183 160 137 113 90 68 53 37 22 6
1,960 1,980 210 186 163 140 116 93 70 55 39 24 8
1,980 2,000 213 189 166 143 119 96 73 57 41 26 10
2,000 2,020 216 192 169 146 122 99 76 59 43 28 12
2,020 2,040 219 195 172 149 125 102 79 61 45 30 14
2,040 2,060 222 198 175 152 128 105 82 63 47 32 16
2,060 2,080 225 201 178 155 131 108 85 65 49 34 18
2,080 2,100 228 204 181 158 134 111 88 67 51 36 20
2,100 2,120 231 207 184 161 137 114 91 69 53 38 22
2,120 2,140 234 210 187 164 140 117 94 71 55 40 24
2,140 2,160 237 213 190 167 143 120 97 73 57 42 26
2,160 2,180 240 216 193 170 146 123 100 76 59 44 28
2,180 2,200 243 219 196 173 149 126 103 79 61 46 30
2,200 2,220 246 222 199 176 152 129 106 82 63 48 32
2,220 2,240 249 225 202 179 155 132 109 85 65 50 34
2,240 2,260 252 228 205 182 158 135 112 88 67 52 36
2,260 2,280 255 231 208 185 161 138 115 91 69 54 38
2,280 2,300 258 234 211 188 164 141 118 94 71 56 40
2,300 2,320 261 237 214 191 167 144 121 97 74 58 42
2,320 2,340 264 240 217 194 170 147 124 100 77 60 44
2,340 2,360 267 243 220 197 173 150 127 103 80 62 46
2,360 2,380 270 246 223 200 176 153 130 106 83 64 48
2,380 2,400 273 249 226 203 179 156 133 109 86 66 50
2,400 2,420 276 252 229 206 182 159 136 112 89 68 52
2,420 2,440 279 255 232 209 185 162 139 115 92 70 54
2,440 2,460 282 258 235 212 188 165 142 118 95 72 56
2,460 2,480 285 261 238 215 191 168 145 121 98 74 58
2,480 2,500 288 264 241 218 194 171 148 124 101 77 60
2,500 2,520 291 267 244 221 197 174 151 127 104 80 62
2,520 2,540 294 270 247 224 200 177 154 130 107 83 64
2,540 2,560 297 273 250 227 203 180 157 133 110 86 66
2,560 2,580 300 276 253 230 206 183 160 136 113 89 68
2,580 2,600 303 279 256 233 209 186 163 139 116 92 70
2,600 2,620 306 282 259 236 212 189 166 142 119 95 72
2,620 2,640 309 285 262 239 215 192 169 145 122 98 75
2,640 2,660 312 288 265 242 218 195 172 148 125 101 78
2,660 2,680 315 291 268 245 221 198 175 151 128 104 81
2,680 2,700 318 294 271 248 224 201 178 154 131 107 84
2,700 2,720 321 297 274 251 227 204 181 157 134 110 87
2,720 2,740 324 300 277 254 230 207 184 160 137 113 90
2,740 2,760 327 303 280 257 233 210 187 163 140 116 93
2,760 2,780 330 306 283 260 236 213 190 166 143 119 96
2,780 2,800 333 309 286 263 239 216 193 169 146 122 99
2,800 2,820 336 312 289 266 242 219 196 172 149 125 102
2,820 2,840 339 315 292 269 245 222 199 175 152 128 105
2,840 2,860 342 318 295 272 248 225 202 178 155 131 108
2,860 2,880 345 321 298 275 251 228 205 181 158 134 111
$2,880 and over Use Table 2(b) for a MARRIED person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 54 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—SEMIMONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $115 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
115 120 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
120 125 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
125 130 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
130 135 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
135 140 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
140 145 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
145 150 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
150 155 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
155 160 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
160 165 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
165 170 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
170 175 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
175 180 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
180 185 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
185 190 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
190 195 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
195 200 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
200 205 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
205 210 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 215 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
215 220 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
220 225 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
225 230 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
230 235 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
235 240 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
240 245 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
245 250 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
250 260 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
260 270 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
270 280 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
280 290 19 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
290 300 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 310 21 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
310 320 22 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
320 330 23 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
330 340 24 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
340 350 25 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
350 360 26 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
360 370 27 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
370 380 28 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
380 390 29 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
390 400 30 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
400 410 31 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
410 420 32 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
420 430 33 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
430 440 34 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
440 450 35 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
450 460 36 19 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
460 470 37 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
470 480 38 21 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
480 490 39 22 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
490 500 40 23 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
500 520 43 25 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
520 540 46 27 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
540 560 49 29 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
560 580 52 31 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
580 600 55 33 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
600 620 58 35 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
620 640 61 37 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
640 660 64 39 22 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
660 680 67 41 24 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
680 700 70 44 26 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
700 720 73 47 28 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
720 740 76 50 30 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
740 760 79 53 32 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
760 780 82 56 34 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
780 800 85 59 36 19 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 55
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—SEMIMONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$800 $820 $88 $62 $38 $21 $4 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
820 840 91 65 40 23 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
840 860 94 68 43 25 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
860 880 97 71 46 27 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
880 900 100 74 49 29 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
900 920 103 77 52 31 14 0 0 0 0 0 0
920 940 106 80 55 33 16 0 0 0 0 0 0
940 960 109 83 58 35 18 1 0 0 0 0 0
960 980 112 86 61 37 20 3 0 0 0 0 0
980 1,000 115 89 64 39 22 5 0 0 0 0 0
1,000 1,020 118 92 67 42 24 7 0 0 0 0 0
1,020 1,040 121 95 70 45 26 9 0 0 0 0 0
1,040 1,060 124 98 73 48 28 11 0 0 0 0 0
1,060 1,080 127 101 76 51 30 13 0 0 0 0 0
1,080 1,100 130 104 79 54 32 15 0 0 0 0 0
1,100 1,120 133 107 82 57 34 17 0 0 0 0 0
1,120 1,140 136 110 85 60 36 19 2 0 0 0 0
1,140 1,160 139 113 88 63 38 21 4 0 0 0 0
1,160 1,180 142 116 91 66 40 23 6 0 0 0 0
1,180 1,200 145 119 94 69 43 25 8 0 0 0 0
1,200 1,220 148 122 97 72 46 27 10 0 0 0 0
1,220 1,240 151 125 100 75 49 29 12 0 0 0 0
1,240 1,260 154 128 103 78 52 31 14 0 0 0 0
1,260 1,280 157 131 106 81 55 33 16 0 0 0 0
1,280 1,300 160 134 109 84 58 35 18 1 0 0 0
1,300 1,320 163 137 112 87 61 37 20 3 0 0 0
1,320 1,340 166 140 115 90 64 39 22 5 0 0 0
1,340 1,360 169 143 118 93 67 42 24 7 0 0 0
1,360 1,380 172 146 121 96 70 45 26 9 0 0 0
1,380 1,400 175 149 124 99 73 48 28 11 0 0 0
1,400 1,420 178 152 127 102 76 51 30 13 0 0 0
1,420 1,440 181 155 130 105 79 54 32 15 0 0 0
1,440 1,460 184 158 133 108 82 57 34 17 0 0 0
1,460 1,480 187 161 136 111 85 60 36 19 2 0 0
1,480 1,500 190 164 139 114 88 63 38 21 4 0 0
1,500 1,520 193 167 142 117 91 66 41 23 6 0 0
1,520 1,540 196 170 145 120 94 69 44 25 8 0 0
1,540 1,560 199 173 148 123 97 72 47 27 10 0 0
1,560 1,580 202 176 151 126 100 75 50 29 12 0 0
1,580 1,600 205 179 154 129 103 78 53 31 14 0 0
1,600 1,620 208 182 157 132 106 81 56 33 16 0 0
1,620 1,640 211 185 160 135 109 84 59 35 18 2 0
1,640 1,660 214 188 163 138 112 87 62 37 20 4 0
1,660 1,680 217 191 166 141 115 90 65 40 22 6 0
1,680 1,700 221 194 169 144 118 93 68 43 24 8 0
1,700 1,720 226 197 172 147 121 96 71 46 26 10 0
1,720 1,740 231 200 175 150 124 99 74 49 28 12 0
1,740 1,760 236 203 178 153 127 102 77 52 30 14 0
1,760 1,780 241 206 181 156 130 105 80 55 32 16 0
1,780 1,800 246 209 184 159 133 108 83 58 34 18 1
1,800 1,820 251 212 187 162 136 111 86 61 36 20 3
1,820 1,840 256 215 190 165 139 114 89 64 38 22 5
1,840 1,860 261 219 193 168 142 117 92 67 41 24 7
1,860 1,880 266 224 196 171 145 120 95 70 44 26 9
1,880 1,900 271 229 199 174 148 123 98 73 47 28 11
1,900 1,920 276 234 202 177 151 126 101 76 50 30 13
1,920 1,940 281 239 205 180 154 129 104 79 53 32 15
1,940 1,960 286 244 208 183 157 132 107 82 56 34 17
1,960 1,980 291 249 211 186 160 135 110 85 59 36 19
1,980 2,000 296 254 214 189 163 138 113 88 62 38 21
2,000 2,020 301 259 217 192 166 141 116 91 65 40 23
2,020 2,040 306 264 222 195 169 144 119 94 68 43 25
2,040 2,060 311 269 227 198 172 147 122 97 71 46 27
2,060 2,080 316 274 232 201 175 150 125 100 74 49 29
2,080 2,100 321 279 237 204 178 153 128 103 77 52 31
2,100 2,120 326 284 242 207 181 156 131 106 80 55 33
2,120 2,140 331 289 247 210 184 159 134 109 83 58 35
$2,140 and over Use Table 3(a) for a SINGLE person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 56 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—SEMIMONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $370 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
370 380 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
380 390 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
390 400 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
400 410 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
410 420 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
420 430 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
430 440 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
440 450 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
450 460 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
460 470 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
470 480 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
480 490 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
490 500 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
500 520 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
520 540 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
540 560 19 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
560 580 21 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
580 600 23 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
600 620 25 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
620 640 27 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
640 660 29 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
660 680 31 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
680 700 33 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
700 720 35 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
720 740 37 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
740 760 39 22 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
760 780 41 24 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
780 800 43 26 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
800 820 45 28 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
820 840 47 30 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
840 860 49 32 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
860 880 51 34 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
880 900 53 36 19 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
900 920 55 38 21 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
920 940 57 40 23 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
940 960 59 42 25 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
960 980 61 44 27 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
980 1,000 63 46 29 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,000 1,020 65 48 31 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,020 1,040 67 50 33 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,040 1,060 69 52 35 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,060 1,080 71 54 37 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,080 1,100 73 56 39 22 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,100 1,120 75 58 41 24 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,120 1,140 77 60 43 26 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,140 1,160 80 62 45 28 11 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,160 1,180 83 64 47 30 13 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,180 1,200 86 66 49 32 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,200 1,220 89 68 51 34 17 1 0 0 0 0 0
1,220 1,240 92 70 53 36 19 3 0 0 0 0 0
1,240 1,260 95 72 55 38 21 5 0 0 0 0 0
1,260 1,280 98 74 57 40 23 7 0 0 0 0 0
1,280 1,300 101 76 59 42 25 9 0 0 0 0 0
1,300 1,320 104 78 61 44 27 11 0 0 0 0 0
1,320 1,340 107 81 63 46 29 13 0 0 0 0 0
1,340 1,360 110 84 65 48 31 15 0 0 0 0 0
1,360 1,380 113 87 67 50 33 17 0 0 0 0 0
1,380 1,400 116 90 69 52 35 19 2 0 0 0 0
1,400 1,420 119 93 71 54 37 21 4 0 0 0 0
1,420 1,440 122 96 73 56 39 23 6 0 0 0 0
1,440 1,460 125 99 75 58 41 25 8 0 0 0 0
1,460 1,480 128 102 77 60 43 27 10 0 0 0 0
1,480 1,500 131 105 80 62 45 29 12 0 0 0 0
1,500 1,520 134 108 83 64 47 31 14 0 0 0 0
1,520 1,540 137 111 86 66 49 33 16 0 0 0 0
1,540 1,560 140 114 89 68 51 35 18 1 0 0 0
1,560 1,580 143 117 92 70 53 37 20 3 0 0 0
1,580 1,600 146 120 95 72 55 39 22 5 0 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 57
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—SEMIMONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$1,600 $1,620 $149 $123 $98 $74 $57 $41 $24 $7 $0 $0 $0
1,620 1,640 152 126 101 76 59 43 26 9 0 0 0
1,640 1,660 155 129 104 79 61 45 28 11 0 0 0
1,660 1,680 158 132 107 82 63 47 30 13 0 0 0
1,680 1,700 161 135 110 85 65 49 32 15 0 0 0
1,700 1,720 164 138 113 88 67 51 34 17 0 0 0
1,720 1,740 167 141 116 91 69 53 36 19 2 0 0
1,740 1,760 170 144 119 94 71 55 38 21 4 0 0
1,760 1,780 173 147 122 97 73 57 40 23 6 0 0
1,780 1,800 176 150 125 100 75 59 42 25 8 0 0
1,800 1,820 179 153 128 103 77 61 44 27 10 0 0
1,820 1,840 182 156 131 106 80 63 46 29 12 0 0
1,840 1,860 185 159 134 109 83 65 48 31 14 0 0
1,860 1,880 188 162 137 112 86 67 50 33 16 0 0
1,880 1,900 191 165 140 115 89 69 52 35 18 1 0
1,900 1,920 194 168 143 118 92 71 54 37 20 3 0
1,920 1,940 197 171 146 121 95 73 56 39 22 5 0
1,940 1,960 200 174 149 124 98 75 58 41 24 7 0
1,960 1,980 203 177 152 127 101 77 60 43 26 9 0
1,980 2,000 206 180 155 130 104 79 62 45 28 11 0
2,000 2,020 209 183 158 133 107 82 64 47 30 13 0
2,020 2,040 212 186 161 136 110 85 66 49 32 15 0
2,040 2,060 215 189 164 139 113 88 68 51 34 17 0
2,060 2,080 218 192 167 142 116 91 70 53 36 19 2
2,080 2,100 221 195 170 145 119 94 72 55 38 21 4
2,100 2,120 224 198 173 148 122 97 74 57 40 23 6
2,120 2,140 227 201 176 151 125 100 76 59 42 25 8
2,140 2,160 230 204 179 154 128 103 78 61 44 27 10
2,160 2,180 233 207 182 157 131 106 81 63 46 29 12
2,180 2,200 236 210 185 160 134 109 84 65 48 31 14
2,200 2,220 239 213 188 163 137 112 87 67 50 33 16
2,220 2,240 242 216 191 166 140 115 90 69 52 35 18
2,240 2,260 245 219 194 169 143 118 93 71 54 37 20
2,260 2,280 248 222 197 172 146 121 96 73 56 39 22
2,280 2,300 251 225 200 175 149 124 99 75 58 41 24
2,300 2,320 254 228 203 178 152 127 102 77 60 43 26
2,320 2,340 257 231 206 181 155 130 105 79 62 45 28
2,340 2,360 260 234 209 184 158 133 108 82 64 47 30
2,360 2,380 263 237 212 187 161 136 111 85 66 49 32
2,380 2,400 266 240 215 190 164 139 114 88 68 51 34
2,400 2,420 269 243 218 193 167 142 117 91 70 53 36
2,420 2,440 272 246 221 196 170 145 120 94 72 55 38
2,440 2,460 275 249 224 199 173 148 123 97 74 57 40
2,460 2,480 278 252 227 202 176 151 126 100 76 59 42
2,480 2,500 281 255 230 205 179 154 129 103 78 61 44
2,500 2,520 284 258 233 208 182 157 132 106 81 63 46
2,520 2,540 287 261 236 211 185 160 135 109 84 65 48
2,540 2,560 290 264 239 214 188 163 138 112 87 67 50
2,560 2,580 293 267 242 217 191 166 141 115 90 69 52
2,580 2,600 296 270 245 220 194 169 144 118 93 71 54
2,600 2,620 299 273 248 223 197 172 147 121 96 73 56
2,620 2,640 302 276 251 226 200 175 150 124 99 75 58
2,640 2,660 305 279 254 229 203 178 153 127 102 77 60
2,660 2,680 308 282 257 232 206 181 156 130 105 80 62
2,680 2,700 311 285 260 235 209 184 159 133 108 83 64
2,700 2,720 314 288 263 238 212 187 162 136 111 86 66
2,720 2,740 317 291 266 241 215 190 165 139 114 89 68
2,740 2,760 320 294 269 244 218 193 168 142 117 92 70
2,760 2,780 323 297 272 247 221 196 171 145 120 95 72
2,780 2,800 326 300 275 250 224 199 174 148 123 98 74
2,800 2,820 329 303 278 253 227 202 177 151 126 101 76
2,820 2,840 332 306 281 256 230 205 180 154 129 104 78
2,840 2,860 335 309 284 259 233 208 183 157 132 107 81
2,860 2,880 338 312 287 262 236 211 186 160 135 110 84
2,880 2,900 341 315 290 265 239 214 189 163 138 113 87
2,900 2,920 344 318 293 268 242 217 192 166 141 116 90
2,920 2,940 347 321 296 271 245 220 195 169 144 119 93
$2,940 and over Use Table 3(b) for a MARRIED person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 58 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—MONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $220 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
220 230 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
230 240 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
240 250 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
250 260 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
260 270 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
270 280 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
280 290 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
290 300 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 320 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
320 340 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
340 360 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
360 380 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
380 400 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
400 420 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
420 440 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
440 460 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
460 480 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
480 500 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
500 520 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
520 540 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
540 560 36 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
560 580 38 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
580 600 40 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
600 640 43 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
640 680 47 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
680 720 51 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
720 760 55 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
760 800 59 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
800 840 63 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
840 880 67 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
880 920 71 37 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
920 960 75 41 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
960 1,000 79 45 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,000 1,040 85 49 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,040 1,080 91 53 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,080 1,120 97 57 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,120 1,160 103 61 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,160 1,200 109 65 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,200 1,240 115 69 35 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,240 1,280 121 73 39 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,280 1,320 127 77 43 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,320 1,360 133 83 47 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,360 1,400 139 89 51 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,400 1,440 145 95 55 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,440 1,480 151 101 59 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,480 1,520 157 107 63 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,520 1,560 163 113 67 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,560 1,600 169 119 71 38 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,600 1,640 175 125 75 42 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,640 1,680 181 131 80 46 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,680 1,720 187 137 86 50 16 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,720 1,760 193 143 92 54 20 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,760 1,800 199 149 98 58 24 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,800 1,840 205 155 104 62 28 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,840 1,880 211 161 110 66 32 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,880 1,920 217 167 116 70 36 2 0 0 0 0 0
1,920 1,960 223 173 122 74 40 6 0 0 0 0 0
1,960 2,000 229 179 128 78 44 10 0 0 0 0 0
2,000 2,040 235 185 134 84 48 14 0 0 0 0 0
2,040 2,080 241 191 140 90 52 18 0 0 0 0 0
2,080 2,120 247 197 146 96 56 22 0 0 0 0 0
2,120 2,160 253 203 152 102 60 26 0 0 0 0 0
2,160 2,200 259 209 158 108 64 30 0 0 0 0 0
2,200 2,240 265 215 164 114 68 34 0 0 0 0 0
2,240 2,280 271 221 170 120 72 38 4 0 0 0 0
2,280 2,320 277 227 176 126 76 42 8 0 0 0 0
2,320 2,360 283 233 182 132 81 46 12 0 0 0 0
2,360 2,400 289 239 188 138 87 50 16 0 0 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 59
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—MONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$2,400 $2,440 $295 $245 $194 $144 $93 $54 $20 $0 $0 $0 $0
2,440 2,480 301 251 200 150 99 58 24 0 0 0 0
2,480 2,520 307 257 206 156 105 62 28 0 0 0 0
2,520 2,560 313 263 212 162 111 66 32 0 0 0 0
2,560 2,600 319 269 218 168 117 70 36 3 0 0 0
2,600 2,640 325 275 224 174 123 74 40 7 0 0 0
2,640 2,680 331 281 230 180 129 78 44 11 0 0 0
2,680 2,720 337 287 236 186 135 84 48 15 0 0 0
2,720 2,760 343 293 242 192 141 90 52 19 0 0 0
2,760 2,800 349 299 248 198 147 96 56 23 0 0 0
2,800 2,840 355 305 254 204 153 102 60 27 0 0 0
2,840 2,880 361 311 260 210 159 108 64 31 0 0 0
2,880 2,920 367 317 266 216 165 114 68 35 1 0 0
2,920 2,960 373 323 272 222 171 120 72 39 5 0 0
2,960 3,000 379 329 278 228 177 126 76 43 9 0 0
3,000 3,040 385 335 284 234 183 132 82 47 13 0 0
3,040 3,080 391 341 290 240 189 138 88 51 17 0 0
3,080 3,120 397 347 296 246 195 144 94 55 21 0 0
3,120 3,160 403 353 302 252 201 150 100 59 25 0 0
3,160 3,200 409 359 308 258 207 156 106 63 29 0 0
3,200 3,240 415 365 314 264 213 162 112 67 33 0 0
3,240 3,280 421 371 320 270 219 168 118 71 37 3 0
3,280 3,320 427 377 326 276 225 174 124 75 41 7 0
3,320 3,360 433 383 332 282 231 180 130 79 45 11 0
3,360 3,400 442 389 338 288 237 186 136 85 49 15 0
3,400 3,440 452 395 344 294 243 192 142 91 53 19 0
3,440 3,480 462 401 350 300 249 198 148 97 57 23 0
3,480 3,520 472 407 356 306 255 204 154 103 61 27 0
3,520 3,560 482 413 362 312 261 210 160 109 65 31 0
3,560 3,600 492 419 368 318 267 216 166 115 69 35 1
3,600 3,640 502 425 374 324 273 222 172 121 73 39 5
3,640 3,680 512 431 380 330 279 228 178 127 77 43 9
3,680 3,720 522 438 386 336 285 234 184 133 82 47 13
3,720 3,760 532 448 392 342 291 240 190 139 88 51 17
3,760 3,800 542 458 398 348 297 246 196 145 94 55 21
3,800 3,840 552 468 404 354 303 252 202 151 100 59 25
3,840 3,880 562 478 410 360 309 258 208 157 106 63 29
3,880 3,920 572 488 416 366 315 264 214 163 112 67 33
3,920 3,960 582 498 422 372 321 270 220 169 118 71 37
3,960 4,000 592 508 428 378 327 276 226 175 124 75 41
4,000 4,040 602 518 434 384 333 282 232 181 130 80 45
4,040 4,080 612 528 443 390 339 288 238 187 136 86 49
4,080 4,120 622 538 453 396 345 294 244 193 142 92 53
4,120 4,160 632 548 463 402 351 300 250 199 148 98 57
4,160 4,200 642 558 473 408 357 306 256 205 154 104 61
4,200 4,240 652 568 483 414 363 312 262 211 160 110 65
4,240 4,280 662 578 493 420 369 318 268 217 166 116 69
4,280 4,320 672 588 503 426 375 324 274 223 172 122 73
4,320 4,360 682 598 513 432 381 330 280 229 178 128 77
4,360 4,400 692 608 523 439 387 336 286 235 184 134 83
4,400 4,440 702 618 533 449 393 342 292 241 190 140 89
4,440 4,480 712 628 543 459 399 348 298 247 196 146 95
4,480 4,520 722 638 553 469 405 354 304 253 202 152 101
4,520 4,560 732 648 563 479 411 360 310 259 208 158 107
4,560 4,600 742 658 573 489 417 366 316 265 214 164 113
4,600 4,640 752 668 583 499 423 372 322 271 220 170 119
4,640 4,680 762 678 593 509 429 378 328 277 226 176 125
4,680 4,720 772 688 603 519 435 384 334 283 232 182 131
4,720 4,760 782 698 613 529 444 390 340 289 238 188 137
4,760 4,800 792 708 623 539 454 396 346 295 244 194 143
4,800 4,840 802 718 633 549 464 402 352 301 250 200 149
4,840 4,880 812 728 643 559 474 408 358 307 256 206 155
4,880 4,920 822 738 653 569 484 414 364 313 262 212 161
4,920 4,960 832 748 663 579 494 420 370 319 268 218 167
4,960 5,000 842 758 673 589 504 426 376 325 274 224 173
5,000 5,040 852 768 683 599 514 432 382 331 280 230 179
5,040 5,080 862 778 693 609 524 440 388 337 286 236 185
$5,080 and over Use Table 4(a) for a SINGLE person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 60 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—MONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $720 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
720 760 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
760 800 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
800 840 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
840 880 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
880 920 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
920 960 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
960 1,000 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,000 1,040 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,040 1,080 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,080 1,120 38 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,120 1,160 42 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,160 1,200 46 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,200 1,240 50 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,240 1,280 54 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,280 1,320 58 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,320 1,360 62 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,360 1,400 66 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,400 1,440 70 36 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,440 1,480 74 40 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,480 1,520 78 44 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,520 1,560 82 48 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,560 1,600 86 52 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,600 1,640 90 56 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,640 1,680 94 60 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,680 1,720 98 64 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,720 1,760 102 68 34 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,760 1,800 106 72 38 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,800 1,840 110 76 42 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,840 1,880 114 80 46 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,880 1,920 118 84 50 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,920 1,960 122 88 54 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1,960 2,000 126 92 58 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,000 2,040 130 96 62 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,040 2,080 134 100 66 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,080 2,120 138 104 70 37 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,120 2,160 142 108 74 41 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,160 2,200 146 112 78 45 11 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,200 2,240 150 116 82 49 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,240 2,280 154 120 86 53 19 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,280 2,320 159 124 90 57 23 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,320 2,360 165 128 94 61 27 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,360 2,400 171 132 98 65 31 0 0 0 0 0 0
2,400 2,440 177 136 102 69 35 1 0 0 0 0 0
2,440 2,480 183 140 106 73 39 5 0 0 0 0 0
2,480 2,520 189 144 110 77 43 9 0 0 0 0 0
2,520 2,560 195 148 114 81 47 13 0 0 0 0 0
2,560 2,600 201 152 118 85 51 17 0 0 0 0 0
2,600 2,640 207 157 122 89 55 21 0 0 0 0 0
2,640 2,680 213 163 126 93 59 25 0 0 0 0 0
2,680 2,720 219 169 130 97 63 29 0 0 0 0 0
2,720 2,760 225 175 134 101 67 33 0 0 0 0 0
2,760 2,800 231 181 138 105 71 37 3 0 0 0 0
2,800 2,840 237 187 142 109 75 41 7 0 0 0 0
2,840 2,880 243 193 146 113 79 45 11 0 0 0 0
2,880 2,920 249 199 150 117 83 49 15 0 0 0 0
2,920 2,960 255 205 154 121 87 53 19 0 0 0 0
2,960 3,000 261 211 160 125 91 57 23 0 0 0 0
3,000 3,040 267 217 166 129 95 61 27 0 0 0 0
3,040 3,080 273 223 172 133 99 65 31 0 0 0 0
3,080 3,120 279 229 178 137 103 69 35 2 0 0 0
3,120 3,160 285 235 184 141 107 73 39 6 0 0 0
3,160 3,200 291 241 190 145 111 77 43 10 0 0 0
3,200 3,240 297 247 196 149 115 81 47 14 0 0 0
3,240 3,280 303 253 202 153 119 85 51 18 0 0 0
3,280 3,320 309 259 208 157 123 89 55 22 0 0 0
3,320 3,360 315 265 214 163 127 93 59 26 0 0 0
3,360 3,400 321 271 220 169 131 97 63 30 0 0 0
Publication 15 (2017) Page 61
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—MONTHLY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$3,400 $3,440 $327 $277 $226 $175 $135 $101 $67 $34 $0 $0 $0
3,440 3,480 333 283 232 181 139 105 71 38 4 0 0
3,480 3,520 339 289 238 187 143 109 75 42 8 0 0
3,520 3,560 345 295 244 193 147 113 79 46 12 0 0
3,560 3,600 351 301 250 199 151 117 83 50 16 0 0
3,600 3,640 357 307 256 205 155 121 87 54 20 0 0
3,640 3,680 363 313 262 211 161 125 91 58 24 0 0
3,680 3,720 369 319 268 217 167 129 95 62 28 0 0
3,720 3,760 375 325 274 223 173 133 99 66 32 0 0
3,760 3,800 381 331 280 229 179 137 103 70 36 2 0
3,800 3,840 387 337 286 235 185 141 107 74 40 6 0
3,840 3,880 393 343 292 241 191 145 111 78 44 10 0
3,880 3,920 399 349 298 247 197 149 115 82 48 14 0
3,920 3,960 405 355 304 253 203 153 119 86 52 18 0
3,960 4,000 411 361 310 259 209 158 123 90 56 22 0
4,000 4,040 417 367 316 265 215 164 127 94 60 26 0
4,040 4,080 423 373 322 271 221 170 131 98 64 30 0
4,080 4,120 429 379 328 277 227 176 135 102 68 34 0
4,120 4,160 435 385 334 283 233 182 139 106 72 38 4
4,160 4,200 441 391 340 289 239 188 143 110 76 42 8
4,200 4,240 447 397 346 295 245 194 147 114 80 46 12
4,240 4,280 453 403 352 301 251 200 151 118 84 50 16
4,280 4,320 459 409 358 307 257 206 155 122 88 54 20
4,320 4,360 465 415 364 313 263 212 161 126 92 58 24
4,360 4,400 471 421 370 319 269 218 167 130 96 62 28
4,400 4,440 477 427 376 325 275 224 173 134 100 66 32
4,440 4,480 483 433 382 331 281 230 179 138 104 70 36
4,480 4,520 489 439 388 337 287 236 185 142 108 74 40
4,520 4,560 495 445 394 343 293 242 191 146 112 78 44
4,560 4,600 501 451 400 349 299 248 197 150 116 82 48
4,600 4,640 507 457 406 355 305 254 203 154 120 86 52
4,640 4,680 513 463 412 361 311 260 209 159 124 90 56
4,680 4,720 519 469 418 367 317 266 215 165 128 94 60
4,720 4,760 525 475 424 373 323 272 221 171 132 98 64
4,760 4,800 531 481 430 379 329 278 227 177 136 102 68
4,800 4,840 537 487 436 385 335 284 233 183 140 106 72
4,840 4,880 543 493 442 391 341 290 239 189 144 110 76
4,880 4,920 549 499 448 397 347 296 245 195 148 114 80
4,920 4,960 555 505 454 403 353 302 251 201 152 118 84
4,960 5,000 561 511 460 409 359 308 257 207 156 122 88
5,000 5,040 567 517 466 415 365 314 263 213 162 126 92
5,040 5,080 573 523 472 421 371 320 269 219 168 130 96
5,080 5,120 579 529 478 427 377 326 275 225 174 134 100
5,120 5,160 585 535 484 433 383 332 281 231 180 138 104
5,160 5,200 591 541 490 439 389 338 287 237 186 142 108
5,200 5,240 597 547 496 445 395 344 293 243 192 146 112
5,240 5,280 603 553 502 451 401 350 299 249 198 150 116
5,280 5,320 609 559 508 457 407 356 305 255 204 154 120
5,320 5,360 615 565 514 463 413 362 311 261 210 160 124
5,360 5,400 621 571 520 469 419 368 317 267 216 166 128
5,400 5,440 627 577 526 475 425 374 323 273 222 172 132
5,440 5,480 633 583 532 481 431 380 329 279 228 178 136
5,480 5,520 639 589 538 487 437 386 335 285 234 184 140
5,520 5,560 645 595 544 493 443 392 341 291 240 190 144
5,560 5,600 651 601 550 499 449 398 347 297 246 196 148
5,600 5,640 657 607 556 505 455 404 353 303 252 202 152
5,640 5,680 663 613 562 511 461 410 359 309 258 208 157
5,680 5,720 669 619 568 517 467 416 365 315 264 214 163
5,720 5,760 675 625 574 523 473 422 371 321 270 220 169
5,760 5,800 681 631 580 529 479 428 377 327 276 226 175
5,800 5,840 687 637 586 535 485 434 383 333 282 232 181
5,840 5,880 693 643 592 541 491 440 389 339 288 238 187
5,880 5,920 699 649 598 547 497 446 395 345 294 244 193
5,920 5,960 705 655 604 553 503 452 401 351 300 250 199
5,960 6,000 711 661 610 559 509 458 407 357 306 256 205
6,000 6,040 717 667 616 565 515 464 413 363 312 262 211
6,040 6,080 723 673 622 571 521 470 419 369 318 268 217
6,080 6,120 729 679 628 577 527 476 425 375 324 274 223
$6,120 and over Use Table 4(b) for a MARRIED person on page 45. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 62 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—DAILY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $15 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
15 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 21 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 24 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24 27 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
27 30 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30 33 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
33 36 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
36 39 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
39 42 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
42 45 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
45 48 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
48 51 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
51 54 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
54 57 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
57 60 6 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
60 63 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
63 66 7 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
66 69 7 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
69 72 7 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
72 75 8 6 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
75 78 8 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
78 81 9 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
81 84 9 7 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
84 87 10 7 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
87 90 10 8 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
90 93 11 8 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
93 96 11 9 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
96 99 12 9 7 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
99 102 12 10 7 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
102 105 12 10 8 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0
105 108 13 11 8 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 0
108 111 13 11 9 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 0
111 114 14 11 9 7 4 3 1 0 0 0 0
114 117 14 12 10 7 5 3 1 0 0 0 0
117 120 15 12 10 8 5 3 2 0 0 0 0
120 123 15 13 10 8 6 3 2 0 0 0 0
123 126 16 13 11 9 6 4 2 1 0 0 0
126 129 16 14 11 9 7 4 3 1 0 0 0
129 132 16 14 12 9 7 5 3 1 0 0 0
132 135 17 15 12 10 8 5 3 2 0 0 0
135 138 17 15 13 10 8 6 3 2 0 0 0
138 141 18 15 13 11 8 6 4 2 1 0 0
141 144 18 16 14 11 9 7 4 2 1 0 0
144 147 19 16 14 12 9 7 5 3 1 0 0
147 150 19 17 14 12 10 7 5 3 2 0 0
150 153 20 17 15 13 10 8 6 3 2 0 0
153 156 20 18 15 13 11 8 6 4 2 1 0
156 159 21 18 16 13 11 9 6 4 2 1 0
159 162 22 19 16 14 12 9 7 5 3 1 0
162 165 22 19 17 14 12 10 7 5 3 1 0
165 168 23 20 17 15 13 10 8 5 3 2 0
168 171 24 20 18 15 13 11 8 6 4 2 0
171 174 25 21 18 16 13 11 9 6 4 2 1
174 177 25 21 19 16 14 12 9 7 5 3 1
177 180 26 22 19 17 14 12 10 7 5 3 1
180 183 27 23 19 17 15 12 10 8 5 3 2
183 186 28 24 20 18 15 13 11 8 6 4 2
186 189 28 24 20 18 16 13 11 9 6 4 2
189 192 29 25 21 18 16 14 11 9 7 4 3
192 195 30 26 22 19 17 14 12 10 7 5 3
195 198 31 27 23 19 17 15 12 10 8 5 3
198 201 31 27 23 20 17 15 13 10 8 6 3
201 204 32 28 24 20 18 16 13 11 9 6 4
204 207 33 29 25 21 18 16 14 11 9 7 4
207 210 34 30 26 22 19 16 14 12 9 7 5
210 213 34 30 26 23 19 17 15 12 10 8 5
213 216 35 31 27 23 20 17 15 13 10 8 6
216 219 36 32 28 24 20 18 15 13 11 8 6
219 222 37 33 29 25 21 18 16 14 11 9 7
222 225 37 33 29 26 22 19 16 14 12 9 7
Publication 15 (2017) Page 63
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
SINGLE Persons—DAILY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$225 $228 $38 $34 $30 $26 $22 $19 $17 $14 $12 $10 $7
228 231 39 35 31 27 23 20 17 15 13 10 8
231 234 40 36 32 28 24 20 18 15 13 11 8
234 237 40 36 32 29 25 21 18 16 14 11 9
237 240 41 37 33 29 25 22 19 16 14 12 9
240 243 42 38 34 30 26 22 19 17 14 12 10
243 246 43 39 35 31 27 23 20 17 15 13 10
246 249 43 39 35 32 28 24 20 18 15 13 11
249 252 44 40 36 32 28 25 21 18 16 13 11
252 255 45 41 37 33 29 25 21 19 16 14 12
255 258 46 42 38 34 30 26 22 19 17 14 12
258 261 46 42 38 35 31 27 23 19 17 15 12
261 264 47 43 39 35 31 28 24 20 18 15 13
264 267 48 44 40 36 32 28 24 21 18 16 13
267 270 49 45 41 37 33 29 25 21 18 16 14
270 273 49 45 41 38 34 30 26 22 19 17 14
273 276 50 46 42 38 34 31 27 23 19 17 15
276 279 51 47 43 39 35 31 27 24 20 17 15
279 282 52 48 44 40 36 32 28 24 20 18 16
282 285 52 48 44 41 37 33 29 25 21 18 16
285 288 53 49 45 41 37 34 30 26 22 19 16
288 291 54 50 46 42 38 34 30 27 23 19 17
291 294 55 51 47 43 39 35 31 27 23 20 17
294 297 55 51 47 44 40 36 32 28 24 20 18
297 300 56 52 48 44 40 37 33 29 25 21 18
300 303 57 53 49 45 41 37 33 30 26 22 19
303 306 58 54 50 46 42 38 34 30 26 22 19
306 309 58 54 50 47 43 39 35 31 27 23 20
309 312 59 55 51 47 43 40 36 32 28 24 20
312 315 60 56 52 48 44 40 36 33 29 25 21
315 318 61 57 53 49 45 41 37 33 29 25 22
318 321 61 57 53 50 46 42 38 34 30 26 22
321 324 62 58 54 50 46 43 39 35 31 27 23
324 327 63 59 55 51 47 43 39 36 32 28 24
327 330 64 60 56 52 48 44 40 36 32 28 25
330 333 64 60 56 53 49 45 41 37 33 29 25
333 336 65 61 57 53 49 46 42 38 34 30 26
336 339 66 62 58 54 50 46 42 39 35 31 27
339 341 66 63 59 55 51 47 43 39 35 31 27
341 343 67 63 59 55 51 47 44 40 36 32 28
343 345 67 64 60 56 52 48 44 40 36 32 28
345 347 68 64 60 56 52 48 45 41 37 33 29
347 349 68 65 61 57 53 49 45 41 37 33 29
349 351 69 65 61 57 53 49 46 42 38 34 30
351 353 69 66 62 58 54 50 46 42 38 34 30
353 355 70 66 62 58 54 50 47 43 39 35 31
355 357 70 67 63 59 55 51 47 43 39 35 31
357 359 71 67 63 59 55 51 48 44 40 36 32
359 361 71 68 64 60 56 52 48 44 40 36 32
361 363 72 68 64 60 56 52 49 45 41 37 33
363 365 72 69 65 61 57 53 49 45 41 37 33
365 367 73 69 65 61 57 53 50 46 42 38 34
367 369 74 70 66 62 58 54 50 46 42 38 34
369 371 74 70 66 62 58 54 51 47 43 39 35
371 373 75 71 67 63 59 55 51 47 43 39 35
373 375 75 71 67 63 59 55 52 48 44 40 36
375 377 76 72 68 64 60 56 52 48 44 40 36
377 379 76 72 68 64 60 56 53 49 45 41 37
379 381 77 73 69 65 61 57 53 49 45 41 37
381 383 77 73 69 65 61 57 54 50 46 42 38
383 385 78 74 70 66 62 58 54 50 46 42 38
385 387 79 74 70 66 62 58 55 51 47 43 39
387 389 79 75 71 67 63 59 55 51 47 43 39
389 391 80 75 71 67 63 59 56 52 48 44 40
391 393 80 76 72 68 64 60 56 52 48 44 40
$393 and over Use Table 8(a) for a SINGLE person on page 46. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 64 Publication 15 (2017)
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—DAILY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$ 0 $39 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
39 42 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
42 45 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
45 48 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
48 51 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
51 54 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
54 57 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
57 60 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
60 63 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
63 66 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
66 69 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
69 72 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
72 75 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
75 78 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
78 81 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
81 84 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
84 87 5 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
87 90 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
90 93 6 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
93 96 6 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
96 99 6 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
99 102 7 5 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
102 105 7 5 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
105 108 7 6 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
108 111 8 6 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
111 114 8 6 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
114 117 9 7 5 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
117 120 9 7 5 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
120 123 10 7 6 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
123 126 10 8 6 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
126 129 11 8 6 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0
129 132 11 9 7 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0
132 135 11 9 7 5 4 2 1 0 0 0 0
135 138 12 10 7 6 4 3 1 0 0 0 0
138 141 12 10 8 6 4 3 1 0 0 0 0
141 144 13 10 8 6 5 3 2 0 0 0 0
144 147 13 11 9 7 5 3 2 0 0 0 0
147 150 14 11 9 7 5 4 2 1 0 0 0
150 153 14 12 9 7 6 4 2 1 0 0 0
153 156 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 1 0 0 0
156 159 15 13 10 8 6 5 3 2 0 0 0
159 162 15 13 11 8 6 5 3 2 0 0 0
162 165 16 14 11 9 7 5 4 2 1 0 0
165 168 16 14 12 9 7 6 4 2 1 0 0
168 171 17 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 1 0 0
171 174 17 15 13 10 8 6 5 3 1 0 0
174 177 18 15 13 11 8 6 5 3 2 0 0
177 180 18 16 14 11 9 7 5 4 2 1 0
180 183 19 16 14 12 9 7 5 4 2 1 0
183 186 19 17 14 12 10 7 6 4 3 1 0
186 189 20 17 15 13 10 8 6 5 3 1 0
189 192 20 18 15 13 11 8 6 5 3 2 0
192 195 20 18 16 13 11 9 7 5 4 2 0
195 198 21 19 16 14 12 9 7 5 4 2 1
198 201 21 19 17 14 12 10 7 6 4 3 1
201 204 22 19 17 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 1
204 207 22 20 18 15 13 11 8 6 5 3 2
207 210 23 20 18 16 13 11 9 7 5 4 2
210 213 23 21 18 16 14 11 9 7 5 4 2
213 216 24 21 19 17 14 12 10 7 6 4 3
216 219 24 22 19 17 15 12 10 8 6 4 3
219 222 24 22 20 17 15 13 10 8 6 5 3
222 225 25 23 20 18 16 13 11 9 7 5 3
225 228 25 23 21 18 16 14 11 9 7 5 4
228 231 26 24 21 19 17 14 12 9 7 6 4
231 234 26 24 22 19 17 15 12 10 8 6 4
234 237 27 24 22 20 17 15 13 10 8 6 5
237 240 27 25 23 20 18 16 13 11 9 7 5
240 243 28 25 23 21 18 16 14 11 9 7 5
243 246 28 26 23 21 19 16 14 12 9 7 6
246 249 29 26 24 22 19 17 15 12 10 8 6
Publication 15 (2017) Page 65
Wage Bracket Method Tables for Income Tax Withholding
MARRIED Persons—DAILY Payroll Period
(For Wages Paid through December 31, 2017)
And the wages are– And the number of withholding allowances claimed is—
At least But less
than 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The amount of income tax to be withheld is—
$249 $252 $29 $27 $24 $22 $20 $17 $15 $13 $10 $8 $6
252 255 29 27 25 22 20 18 15 13 11 8 6
255 258 30 28 25 23 21 18 16 14 11 9 7
258 261 30 28 26 23 21 19 16 14 12 9 7
261 264 31 28 26 24 21 19 17 14 12 10 7
264 267 31 29 27 24 22 20 17 15 13 10 8
267 270 32 29 27 25 22 20 18 15 13 11 8
270 273 32 30 27 25 23 20 18 16 13 11 9
273 276 33 30 28 26 23 21 19 16 14 12 9
276 279 33 31 28 26 24 21 19 17 14 12 10
279 282 33 31 29 26 24 22 19 17 15 12 10
282 285 34 32 29 27 25 22 20 18 15 13 11
285 288 34 32 30 27 25 23 20 18 16 13 11
288 291 35 33 30 28 26 23 21 18 16 14 11
291 294 35 33 31 28 26 24 21 19 17 14 12
294 297 36 33 31 29 26 24 22 19 17 15 12
297 300 36 34 32 29 27 25 22 20 18 15 13
300 303 37 34 32 30 27 25 23 20 18 16 13
303 306 37 35 32 30 28 25 23 21 18 16 14
306 309 38 35 33 31 28 26 24 21 19 17 14
309 312 38 36 33 31 29 26 24 22 19 17 15
312 315 38 36 34 31 29 27 24 22 20 17 15
315 318 39 37 34 32 30 27 25 23 20 18 16
318 321 39 37 35 32 30 28 25 23 21 18 16
321 324 40 37 35 33 30 28 26 23 21 19 16
324 327 40 38 36 33 31 29 26 24 22 19 17
327 330 41 38 36 34 31 29 27 24 22 20 17
330 333 42 39 36 34 32 29 27 25 22 20 18
333 336 43 39 37 35 32 30 28 25 23 21 18
336 339 43 40 37 35 33 30 28 26 23 21 19
339 341 44 40 38 35 33 31 28 26 24 21 19
341 343 44 41 38 36 33 31 29 26 24 22 19
343 345 45 41 38 36 34 31 29 27 24 22 20
345 347 45 42 39 36 34 32 29 27 25 22 20
347 349 46 42 39 37 34 32 30 27 25 23 20
349 351 46 43 39 37 35 32 30 28 25 23 21
351 353 47 43 40 37 35 33 30 28 26 23 21
353 355 47 44 40 38 35 33 31 28 26 23 21
355 357 48 44 40 38 35 33 31 28 26 24 21
357 359 48 45 41 38 36 33 31 29 26 24 22
359 361 49 45 41 38 36 34 31 29 27 24 22
361 363 49 46 42 39 36 34 32 29 27 25 22
363 365 50 46 42 39 37 34 32 30 27 25 23
365 367 50 47 43 39 37 35 32 30 28 25 23
367 369 51 47 43 40 37 35 33 30 28 26 23
369 371 51 48 44 40 38 35 33 31 28 26 24
371 373 52 48 44 40 38 36 33 31 29 26 24
373 375 52 49 45 41 38 36 34 31 29 26 24
375 377 53 49 45 41 38 36 34 31 29 27 24
377 379 53 50 46 42 39 36 34 32 29 27 25
379 381 54 50 46 42 39 37 34 32 30 27 25
381 383 54 51 47 43 39 37 35 32 30 28 25
383 385 55 51 47 43 40 37 35 33 30 28 26
385 387 55 52 48 44 40 38 35 33 31 28 26
387 389 56 52 48 44 40 38 36 33 31 29 26
389 391 56 53 49 45 41 38 36 34 31 29 27
391 393 57 53 49 45 41 39 36 34 32 29 27
393 395 57 54 50 46 42 39 37 34 32 29 27
395 397 58 54 50 46 42 39 37 34 32 30 27
397 399 58 55 51 47 43 39 37 35 32 30 28
399 401 59 55 51 47 43 40 37 35 33 30 28
401 403 59 56 52 48 44 40 38 35 33 31 28
403 405 60 56 52 48 44 40 38 36 33 31 29
405 407 60 57 53 49 45 41 38 36 34 31 29
407 409 61 57 53 49 45 41 39 36 34 32 29
$409 and over Use Table 8(b) for a MARRIED person on page 46. Also see the instructions on page 43.
Page 66 Publication 15 (2017)
How To Get Tax Help
If you have questions about a tax issue, need help prepar-
ing your tax return, or want to download free publications,
forms, or instructions, go to IRS.gov and find resources
that can help you right away.
Preparing and filing your tax return. Visit the IRS web-
site at IRS.gov/employmentefile for more information on
filing your employment tax returns electronically.
Getting answers to your tax law questions.
On IRS.gov get answers to your tax questions
anytime, anywhere.
Go to IRS.gov/help or IRS.gov/letushelp pages for a
variety of tools that will help you get answers to some
of the most common tax questions.
You may also be able to access tax law information in
your electronic filing software.
Getting tax forms and publications. Go to IRS.gov/
forms to view, download, or print most of the forms and
publications you may need. You can also download and
view popular tax publications and instructions (including
Pub. 15) on mobile devices as an eBook at no charge. Or,
you can go to IRS.gov/orderforms to place an order and
have forms mailed to you within 10 business days.
Getting a transcript or copy of a return. You can get a
copy of your tax transcript or a copy of your return by call-
ing 1-800-829-4933 or by mailing Form 4506-T (transcript
request) or Form 4506 (copy of return) to the IRS.
Resolving taxrelated identity theft issues.
The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by
email or telephone to request personal or financial in-
formation. This includes any type of electronic com-
munication, such as text messages and social media
channels.
Go to IRS.gov/idprotection for information and videos.
If you suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity
theft, visit IRS.gov/id to learn what steps you should
take.
Making a tax payment. The IRS uses the latest encryp-
tion technology to ensure your electronic payments are
safe and secure. You can make electronic payments on-
line, by phone, and from a mobile device using the
IRS2Go app. Paying electronically is quick, easy, and
faster than mailing in a check or money order. Go to
IRS.gov/payments to make a payment using any of the
following options.
Debit or credit card: Choose an approved payment
processor to pay online, by phone, and by mobile de-
vice.
Electronic Funds Withdrawal: Offered only when fil-
ing your federal taxes using tax preparation software
or through a tax professional.
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: Best op-
tion for businesses. Enrollment is required.
Check or money order: Mail your payment to the ad-
dress listed on the notice or instructions.
What if I can’t pay now? Go to IRS.gov/payments for
more information about your options.
Apply for an online payment agreement (IRS.gov/opa)
to meet your tax obligation in monthly installments if
you can’t pay your taxes in full today. Once you com-
plete the online process, you will receive immediate
notification of whether your agreement has been ap-
proved.
Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier (IRS.gov/
oic) to see if you can settle your tax debt for less than
the full amount you owe.
Understanding an IRS notice or letter. Go to IRS.gov/
notices to find additional information about responding to
an IRS notice or letter.
Contacting your local IRS office. Keep in mind, many
questions can be resolved on IRS.gov without visiting an
IRS Tax Assistance Center (TAC). Go to IRS.gov/
letushelp for the topics people ask about most. If you still
need help, IRS TACs provide tax help when a tax issue
can’t be handled online or by phone. All TACs now pro-
vide service by appointment so you’ll know in advance
that you can get the service you need without waiting. Be-
fore you visit, go to IRS.gov/taclocator to find the nearest
TAC, check hours, available services, and appointment
options. Or, on the IRS2Go app, under the Stay Connec-
ted tab, choose the Contact Us option and click on “Local
Offices.”
Watching IRS videos. The IRS Video portal
(IRSvideos.gov) contains video and audio presentations
for individuals, small businesses, and tax professionals.
Getting tax information in other languages. For tax-
payers whose native language isn’t English, we have the
following resources available. Taxpayers can find informa-
tion on IRS.gov in the following languages.
Spanish (IRS.gov/spanish).
Chinese (IRS.gov/chinese).
Vietnamese (IRS.gov/vietnamese).
Korean (IRS.gov/korean).
Russian (IRS.gov/russian).
The IRS TACs provide over-the-phone interpreter serv-
ice in over 170 languages, and the service is available
free to taxpayers.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service Is
Here To Help You
What is the Taxpayer Advocate Service?
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independ
ent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and
Publication 15 (2017) Page 67
protects taxpayer rights. Our job is to ensure that every
taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and under-
stand your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
What Can the Taxpayer Advocate Service
Do For You?
We can help you resolve problems that you can’t resolve
with the IRS. And our service is free. If you qualify for our
assistance, you will be assigned to one advocate who will
work with you throughout the process and will do every-
thing possible to resolve your issue. TAS can help you if:
Your problem is causing financial difficulty for you,
your family, or your business,
You face (or your business is facing) an immediate
threat of adverse action, or
You’ve tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one
has responded, or the IRS hasn’t responded by the
date promised.
How Can You Reach Us?
We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico. Your local advocate’s number is in your
local directory and at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov. You can
also call us at 1-877-777-4778.
How Can You Learn About Your Taxpayer
Rights?
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights describes 10 basic rights that
all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS. Our Tax
Toolkit at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov can help you under-
stand what these rights mean to you and how they apply.
These are your rights. Know them. Use them.
How Else Does the Taxpayer Advocate
Service Help Taxpayers?
TAS works to resolve large-scale problems that affect
many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues,
please report it to us at IRS.gov/sams.
Page 68 Publication 15 (2017)
To help us develop a more useful index, please let us know if you have ideas for index entries.
See “Comments and Suggestions” in the “Introduction” for the ways you can reach us.Index
A
Accuracy of deposits rule 28
Additional Medicare Tax 23, 34
Adjustments 32
Aliens, nonresident 21, 24
Allocated tips 18
Archer MSAs 16
Assistance (See Tax help)
B
Backup withholding 6
Business expenses, employee 14
C
Calendar 8
Certain foreign persons treated as
American employers 24
Change of business address or
responsible party 7
COBRA premium assistance credit 10
Correcting employment taxes 34
Correcting errors, (prior period
adjustments) Form 941 33
D
Delivery services, private 7
Depositing taxes:
Penalties 29
Rules 25
Differential wage payments 16
E
Efile 31
Election worker 9
Electronic 28
Electronic deposit requirement 28
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System
(EFTPS) 28
Electronic filing 4, 31
Eligibility for employment 4
Employees defined 11
Employer identification number (EIN) 10
Employer responsibilities 5
F
Family employees 12
Final return 31
Form 944 30
Fringe benefits 16
FUTA tax 35
G
Government employers 9
H
Health insurance plans 16
Health savings accounts (HSAs) 16
Hiring new employees 4
Household employees 30
I
Identity theft 67
Income tax withholding 20, 43
Information returns 5
International social security
agreements 24
L
Longterm care insurance 16
Lookback period 25
M
Meals and lodging 16
Medical care 16
Medical savings accounts 16
Medicare tax 23
Mileage 15
Monthly deposit schedule 26
Moving expenses 15
N
New employees 4
Noncash wages 15
Nonemployee compensation 6
P
Parttime workers 24
Payroll period 20
Penalties 29, 31
Private delivery services 7
Publications (See Tax help)
R
Reconciling Forms W2 and Forms 941 or
944 31
Recordkeeping 6
Reimbursements 15
Repayments, wages 35
S
Seasonal employers 30
Semiweekly deposit schedule 26
Sick pay 17
Social security and Medicare taxes 23
Social security number, employee 13
Spouse 12
Standard mileage rate 15
Statutory employees 11
Statutory nonemployees 11
Successor employer 24, 36
Supplemental wages 18
T
Tax help 67
Telephone help 7
Third Party Payer Arrangements 42
Thirdparty sick pay tax adjustment 33
Tip Rate Determination Agreement 18
Tip Rate Determination and Education
Program 18
Tips 17, 19
Trust fund recovery penalty 29
U
Unemployment tax, federal 35
V
Vacation pay 20
W
Wage repayments 35
Wages defined 14
Wages not paid in money 15
Withholding:
Backup 6
Certificate 20
Exemption 21
Fringe benefits 17
Income tax 20
Levies 23
Nonresident aliens 24
Pensions and annuities 6
Percentage method 43
Social security and Medicare taxes 23
Table instructions 43
Tips 19
Wage bracket method 43
Z
Zero wage return 5
Publication 15 (2017) Page 69