W-4’s | Payroll Services | Washington State University

^{Payroll Services} _{How to Successfully Complete Your W-4 Form}

tips for completing your w-4

Always complete your name in Box 1 and your Social Security Number in Box 2.
Complete the address portion of Box 1.
Leave Box 3 “Single or Married”.
To claim a withholding allowance(s), enter a whole number in Box 5; leave box 7 blank.
To claim Exempt, enter the word Exempt in Box 7; leave Box 5 blank.
Enter any additional withholding amount in box 6 as a dollar amount.
Always sign and date your W-4 form!

Withholding on nonresident aliens:

Box 3 – Check “Single” marital status on line 3 (regardless of marital status)
Box 5 – Enter “1” for the total number of allowances (Residents of American Samoa, Canada, Korea, Mexico, The Northern Mariana Islands and Students from India may claim more allowances. See special section below)
Box 6 – Enter the phrase Non Resident Alien or “NRA” above the dotted line on line 6
Box 7 – Do not complete as “Exempt.” Employees who wish to be exempt from federal income taxes due to a tax treaty, see this link for procedures to complete the tax determination questionnaire for a tax analysis: Contact.htm.

	Residents of: American Samoa Canada Mexico Northern Mariana Islands	Box 3 - Must check "Single" (regardless of marital status) Box 5 - May claim same personal allowances as U.S. Citizens Box 6 - Enter the phrase Non Resident Alien or "NRA" above the dotted line on line 6
	Residents of: South Korea	Box 3 - Must check "Single" (regardless of marital status) Box 5 - May claim "1" plus additional allowances for spouse and any dependents present in the U.S. Box 6 - Enter the phrase Non Resident Alien or "NRA" above the dotted line on line 6
	Residents of: India (Students Only)	Box 3 - Must check "Single" (regardless of marital status) Box 5 - May claim "1" plus additional withholding allowances for spouse and any dependents present in the U.S. if the spouse has no US Source income and/or the children are either US citizens or resident aliens. Box 6 - No additional tax withholding amount is required

Note: Forms with writing in BOTH Boxes 5 and 7 will be returned. Please read instructions #5 and #7 above and enter the appropriate choice. Incomplete W-4 Forms will be returned to employees which, in turn, might delay payment.
Be sure to sign and date the W-4 Form.
Return your form to Payroll Services or your departmental Payroll personnel. You may also fax your form to (509)335-1472. Do not scan and email your form to Payroll Services, as it includes sensitive information.