This article was updated for Tax Year 2023, last edited on Janaury 5th, 2024.
While the estimation process is intended to help you predict your potential federal taxes, Optimizer also lets you adjust your paycheck federal withholding by helping you fill out a W-4 form if you so choose. This can help you make sure you’re not withholding too much or too little from your paycheck.
Please keep in mind that some of your information may be manually entered by you while other information will be pulled over from the partner that referred you to april (e.g., your bank or payroll provider). In either case, be sure to doublecheck and verify the information you’ve provided for your federal tax estimate and withholding is accurate.
For coverage details and other important legal information about Optimizer, you can read more here.
How To Use Optimizer
Click Adjust paycheck to start the Optimizer process.
Note: if you have not yet completed your estimation process, you’ll need to get your estimate first before you can start the Optimizer process. You can also update your estimate if needed (and you should do so regularly, such as when you have any key life events).
Based on your current paycheck federal withholding compared to your federal estimate, Optimizer will ask if you want to increase or decrease your federal withholding (decrease if it seems you’re withholding too much, increase if it seems you’re withholding too little).
Use the slider to indicate what changes you wish to make to your withholding.
Click See summary.
Your summary will show you your projected paycheck changes and the potential impact of those changes on your estimated federal taxes owed or possible federal refund. You can also see how these changes will be reflected on your W-4.
If you want to go back and make additional changes, click the < button in the upper left corner of the app screen. If you’re satisfied with these changes, click Confirm changes.
At this point, you should be taken to your payroll provider’s experience in order to complete the process. This will usually require you virtually signing and confirming that you want to submit the updated W-4. Follow the prompts to complete submitting your W-4.
Once you’ve submitted your W-4, the changes will usually take 1-2 paycheck cycles to be reflected in your paycheck (depending on your payroll provider and your paycheck schedule).
This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, financial, accounting, or other advice. Rules and regulations vary by location and are subject to change, so please consult with an expert if you need advice specific to you.
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