Table A (Single, Married Filing Separate)
Table B (Married Joint, HoH – Combined Income under $50k)
Table C (Married Joint, HoH – Combined Income over $50k)
Table D (High Income / Two-Earner Adjustment)
Table E (Special Higher Withholding)
The NJ-W4 (Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate) is used by New Jersey employers to determine how much state income tax to withhold from an employee's wages. Unlike the federal W-4, which uses a simplified calculation system, New Jersey utilizes various Rate Tables (A through E) to account for different filing statuses and income levels.
Which Rate Table Should You Use?
Rate Table A: Typically used by individuals filing as Single or Married Filing Separately.
Rate Table B: For individuals filing as Married/Civil Union Couple Joint, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er) with a combined annual income of $50,000 or less.
Rate Table C: For individuals filing as Married/Civil Union Couple Joint, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er) with a combined annual income of more than $50,000.
Rate Table D & E: These are often used when you have multiple jobs or a spouse who also works, and you need to adjust withholding higher to avoid a tax bill at the end of the year.
Why Your Withholding Matters
Selecting the wrong rate table can lead to either over-withholding (getting a large refund but having less take-home pay) or under-withholding (owing the state money at tax time). If you or your spouse work multiple jobs, the state recommends using the higher rate tables (C, D, or E) on the job with the highest salary to ensure accurate coverage.
Practical Example
If you are Single and earn $75,000 annually, you would select Rate Table A. Based on NJ tax brackets, your annual withholding would be approximately $2,651. If you are paid Bi-Weekly (26 times a year), the calculator shows about $101.97 should be deducted from each paycheck for NJ state taxes.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on standard NJ-WT withholding circulars. It does not account for specific credits, deductions, or pre-tax health insurance premiums. Consult with a tax professional for exact filing advice.