Federal Form W-4 is used to help employers collect information needed to take out the proper amount of federal income taxes from employees’ paychecks. What the employee enters on the form will affect the amount of federal taxes withheld from their pay and ultimately, the amount of federal tax refund received or tax to be paid when filing their annual federal tax return. 

Drexel University is unable to assist employees in completing their W-4 form. The IRS does provide a tax withholding calculator to assist individuals in completing the form. Additionally, employees may consult with a personal tax advisor.

Employees can review their current W-4 set up in DrexelOne.  To access the information, go to the Employee tab of DrexelOne and click Tax Forms under the Employee Information channel.  Next, select W-4 Employee’s Withholding Certificate.  Displayed here is the employee’s current federal tax withholding setup on file with the Payroll Department.

If an employee needs to update their W-4 Employee’s Withholding Certificate, that can be completed in this same location of DrexelOne.  After utilizing the IRS tax withholding calculator, from the W-4 page, click Update.  Carefully read and complete each step of the online W-4 form. Once all steps have been completed, click Certify Changes. Then, enter the required information for verification and click Submit. The next page will be a confirmation that the changes were submitted.

Notes

• Changes can only be made for future paychecks. If the Payroll Department has already started processing the current pay period, any change will be effective in the following pay.

• Selecting “Exempt” for the deduction status does not mean that you are not required to pay federal income tax. Claiming “Exempt” will eliminate the federal withholding tax from your paycheck. However, taxable wages will still be recorded and reported for you. And you will be required to pay any amount due to the IRS when you file your income tax return.

• In tax year 2020, the IRS changed the W-4. The “number of allowances” is no longer applicable.

Alternatively, employees may submit a completed W-4 Employee’s Withholding Certificate to the Payroll Department.  A scanned copy of the completed W-4 form may be submitted via AskDrexel or a hard copy of the completed W-4 form may be mailed to the Payroll Department.  W-4 Forms received via AskDrexel or via mail will be processed within 5 business days of receipt.  

Nonresident Aliens

The IRS has special instructions for Form W-4 for Nonresident alien employees. Employees in this category should contact the Office of Tax Compliance for tax processing questions.