How to Fill Out Form NJ-W4

Form NJ-W4 at a glance

What it is: Form NJ-W4 is the State of New Jersey Division of Taxation Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate.

Who signs: Employee's Signature Date.

A filled-in Form NJ-W4 example: a single employee starts a new job

Form NJ-W4 example filled out, example: a single employee starts a new job
Maria Sample, a single new employee, fills out Form NJ-W4. She checks Box 1 and claims 1 allowance, so her employer withholds at Rate A. The picture shows the filled form; its names and figures are sample values. She chooses to claim one allowance, so 1 goes in Box 4. Single individuals do not need the wage chart, so Box 3 stays empty. She wants no additional amount deducted from each pay, so Box 5 stays empty. She does not claim exemption, so Box 6 stays empty. She ticks Box 1 and signs by hand after printing, because the fillable form has no box for either, so the picture does not show them.

How to fill out Form NJ-W4, box by box

1. SS#, Name, Address, City State Zip

Form NJ-W4 example filled out, 1. SS#, Name, Address, City State Zip

Line 1: Enter your name, address, and Social Security number in the spaces provided.

Name, Address, City State Zip.

2. Filing Status: (Check only one box)

Filing Status: check only one box. 1. Single, 2. Married/Civil Union Couple Joint, 3. Married/Civil Union Partner Separate, 4. Head of Household, 5. Qualifying Widow(er)/Surviving Civil Union Partner.

If you checked Box 1 (Single) or Box 3 (Married/Civil Union Partner Separate) you will be withheld at Rate A.

If you have checked Box 2 (Married/Civil Union Couple Joint), Box 4 (Head of Household) or Box 5 (Qualifying Widow(er) Surviving Civil Union Partner) and either your spouse/civil union partner works or you have more than one job or more than one source of income and the combined total of all wages is greater than $50,000, see instruction A (checked October 29, 2026). If you do not complete Line 3, you will be withheld at Rate B.

3. If you have chosen to use the chart from instruction A, enter the appropriate letter here

Form NJ-W4 example filled out, 3. If you have chosen to use the chart from instruction A, enter the appropriate letter here

If you have chosen to use the chart from instruction A, enter the appropriate letter here.

This chart is designed to increase withholdings on your wages, if these wages will be taxed at a higher rate due to inclusion of other wages or income on your NJ-1040 return.

This Wage Chart applies to taxpayers who are married/civil union couple filing jointly, heads of households, or qualifying widow(er)/surviving civil union partner. Single individuals or married/civil union partners filing separate returns do not need to use this chart.

1) Find the amount of your wages in the left-hand column.

2) Find the amount of the total for all other wages (including your spouse's/civil union partner's wages) along the top row.

3) Follow along the row that contains your wages until you come to the column that contains the other wages.

4) This meeting point indicates the Withholding Table that best reflects your income situation.

5) If you have chosen this method, enter the “letter” of the withholding rate table on Line 3 of the NJ-W4.

If your income situation substantially increases (or decreases) in the future, you should resubmit a revised NJ-W4 to your employer.

4. Total number of allowances you are claiming (see instructions)

Form NJ-W4 example filled out, 4. Total number of allowances you are claiming (see instructions)

Line 4: Enter the number of allowances you are claiming. Entering a number on this line will decrease the amount of withholding and could result in an underpayment on your return.

5. Additional amount you want deducted from each pay

Form NJ-W4 example filled out, 5. Additional amount you want deducted from each pay

Line 5: Enter the amount of additional withholdings you want deducted from each pay.

It is not intended to provide withholding for other income or wages. If you need additional withholdings for other income or wages, use Line 5 on the NJ-W4.

6. I claim exemption from withholding of NJ Gross Income Tax

Form NJ-W4 example filled out, 6. I claim exemption from withholding of NJ Gross Income Tax

Line 6: Enter “EXEMPT” to indicate that you are exempt from New Jersey Gross Income Tax Withholdings, if you meet one of the following conditions:

Your filing status is SINGLE or MARRIED/CIVIL UNION PARTNER SEPARATE and your wages plus your taxable nonwage income will be $10,000 or less for the current year (checked October 29, 2026).

Your filing status is MARRIED/CIVIL UNION COUPLE JOINT, and your wages combined with your spouse's/civil union partner's wages plus your taxable nonwage income will be $20,000 or less for the current year (checked October 29, 2026).

Your filing status is HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD or QUALIFYING WIDOW(ER)/SURVIVING CIVIL UNION PARTNER and your wages plus your taxable nonwage income will be $20,000 or less for the current year (checked October 29, 2026).

Your exemption is good for ONE year only. You must complete and submit a form each year certifying you have no New Jersey Gross Income Tax liability and claim exemption from withholding.

In box 6, you certify that you have met the conditions in the instructions of the NJ-W4 when you claim exemption from withholding of NJ Gross Income Tax.

7. Under penalties of perjury, Employee's Signature Date

Form NJ-W4 example filled out, 7. Under penalties of perjury, Employee's Signature Date

Under penalties of perjury, you certify that you are entitled to the number of withholding allowances claimed on this certificate or entitled to claim exempt status.

Employee's Signature Date.

Sources

[1] Form NJ-W4 (1-21), Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, State of New Jersey Division of Taxation (the Official source link on this page).

Form Nj W4 PDF Details

The NJ W4 form, issued by the State of New Jersey – Division of Taxation, plays a crucial role in tax administration for employees, dictating how much state income tax should be withheld from their paychecks. This document requires employees to provide personal information alongside their filing status—options include Single, Married/Civil Union Couple Joint, Married/Civil Union Partner Separate, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er)/Surviving Civil Union Partner. Critical to accurate withholding, the form enables employees to assert exemptions based on specific income thresholds, thereby avoiding New Jersey Gross Income Tax withholdings if they qualify. Moreover, the NJ W4 includes instructions for adjusting withholdings to match tax liabilities more closely, which might be particularly relevant for employees with additional income sources or higher combined household earnings. Employers and employees are encouraged to revisit and adjust withholding allowances periodically, especially after major life or financial changes. With potential exemptions and a detailed wage chart designed to refine withholding rates based on combined household income, the NJ W4 serves as an essential tool for managing tax obligations proactively.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameForm Nj W4
Form Length2 pages
Fillable?No
Fillable fields0
Avg. time to fill out30 sec
Other namesnj state w4 form 2021, nj w4 form 2021, nj w4 2021, nj w 4 form