This week’s question comes from Jerri, an HR director. I know federal income tax withholding is supposed to change because of the new tax law. Do employees need to file a new Form W-4? Answer: Employees are not required to file a revised Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate or its Spanish equivalent, Formulario W-4(SP), Certificado de Exención de la Retención del Empleado to see the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provided new tax tables in Publication 15-T that adjust withholding for most workers. Employers must begin using the tables no later than April 1, 2009.

Workers may file a new Form W-4 or Formulario W-4(SP) if they do not wish to have their withholding reduced. Employees may wish to review Publication 919, How Do I Adjust My Tax Withholding or use the IRS withholding calculator. The IRS also recommends that employers provide a copy of the notice on page 73 of Publication 15-T to employees to help them understand the changes.

Contact Vision Payroll if you have further questions on the impact of ARRA on federal income tax withholding.