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Printers are very inexpensive now. I bought a nice Brother color laser HL3140CW for 169.99 on Amazon. I used it mostly for printing the planner after I made yellow highlights and typed notes in red on the PDF of the tax return. It's also nice to have a color printer around on occasion.

They are actually calculated on the highest 35 years.

Yep, back in the old days, most were receiving large refunds (those who were filling out their form "straight up"). A few politicians later, the ones who made changes to make net pay appear bigger as an election point, and we have many who are cutting it close, or going negative, with a "straight up" W4 form. Those that actively manage their withholding, at least honestly, will always come out fine (or as desired). The ones who just go with the standard entries, they are the ones who are at risk, although less likely so starting with the 2019 form (since many will not delve into things like child credits). The recent ones I dealt with are KY (lowered withholding, raised sales tax, for a net tax increase - since no government ever takes a pay cut) and ID, which altered their withholding calculations to make "allowances" mean child tax credits, without requiring employees to provide an updated W4 (so many are now effectively taking a child tax credit for self and spouse), and the ID "W4" instructions actually create a form which is invalid for federal use, even though it is what ID suggests... But, as I get older, I accept what will be will be, and understand complication is good for me.

Thank you for the link and good to know that it is 35 years.

So easy! (Fun note: allowances are still part of the calculation.) Figure the income tax withholding using the result from step 3 as wages, with 2 (single or married filing separately) or 3 (married filing jointly or head of household) allowances for the filing status on line 3 of Form W-4. Step 5. Reduce the income tax withholding result from step 4 by the income tax credits per pay period figured in step 1 for line 7 of Form W-4. Do not reduce withholding below zero. Step 6. Separately figure the income tax withholding on the amount, if any, from step 1 for line 8 of Form W-4. (As in step 4, depending upon the withholding method, the employer may need to adjust this amount by the value of the withholding allowances as described in Pub. 15 or Pub. 15-A.) (Line 8 is your other job. So employer has to assume you're having proper taxes withheld.) Step 7. Subtract the income tax withholding result from step 6 from the result in step 5, to figure the amount of income tax withholding per pay period. (Then reduce your withholdings by the assumed amount withheld from other job.) Step 8. Add the amount, if any, from Form W-4, line 9, to the income tax withholding per pay period figured in step 7. This is the amount of income tax to withhold per pay period for the employee.

Adjusted for inflation, too. https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/awiFactors.cgi

It sounds interesting that two of the three cases were attorneys. If attorneys' behinds were kicked by the IRS, we have to raise our white flag as soon as the audit starts. But as Abby mentions, the IRS will do it on case by case basis. I always play conservatively and I have always included residual income on line 14 of the K1. I have two cases where I could have not include income on line 14. One case, my client has $120K of guaranteed payments, so adding the extra $20K is not a big deal. On the other case, my client has $40K as guarantee payments, so adding the extra $15k will help him when he retires and he collect SS benefits. Keep in mind that SS benefits are considered on 30 years so each case is different.

With all due respect, it seems to me to be something just slightly less complicated that a MLP, but with a mind-boggling holding period before any real benefit MIGHT be realized. Anything that appeals to perceived tax savings to make it somewhat profitable isn’t an investment - it’s another form of gambling. But it will likely appeal to people who will jump on almost any financial scheme (no matter the risk) if it mentions any prospect of escaping taxes.

There is a webinar on 06/21/18 for "Understanding How to use the IRS withholding Calculator to check and correct Withholding". May this will help.

We always remind employers it is not the employer's place to discuss how to prepare a W4. That is what the employee's tax person can be paid to help with, if the employee needs help. Looking at the form, I suspect most "normal" employees will not need special instruction, provided they even submit a new form. The other employees have likely been dealing with management of their withholding before, and have the means to create a valid new form. For the calculation, the IRS is giving a clue (via the W4 instructions) how the calculations will be different, with a section titles "Instructions for Employer". For computerized payroll, no real problem calculating. For those using tables, more steps, but speed is not likely important to those using tables :). The tables will still have allowance columns, as it was important to not require new W4 forms. Spit balling, I will probably add W4 setup for the new W4 "lines". The existing field to enter allowances can remain, as a visual clue as to the 2019 defaults, and to also show the value entered prior to 2019. If any numbers are added in the new lines, the allowances will be set to the defaults. I would rather not show the allowances if a new W4 is used, but many employees like to check their checks, and most will use the tables. I think for clarity, the new line figures will need to somehow be reflected on the stub, meaning the employee will have the means to reverse calculate their withholding. Not sure exactly how yet, but it should not be difficult. Probably some way to show the wages, the adjustments, and the total used for taxable.

I hope as many of you can come as wish, and are able. In particular, I'm speaking of those of you who have every intention of coming, but in the coming weeks allow the rigors of life to wrap themselves around you and feel like you have to bail out. The only defense against this is: circle the date on your calendar and simply don't let those "rigors" beguile you from a trip to Tennessee. Not only will Rita be there but I will be there to add character (or lack of it) to the event. How much more entertainment can there be? For those of you coming from far away, and in particular areas which are flat, I believe you will enjoy the terrain and beauty of our region. In order to get to Crossville from any direction, you have to drive up and land atop a mountainous plateau. Crossville is a pleasant and inexpensive place to stay, and the temperature is usually about five degrees cooler than the valleys due to its elevation. Also, for several of you who may not like me, now is your golden chance to reverse your opinion!! "Edsel" - Ron Jordan, Manchester, TN