Fill out W-4P (Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments) online
Form W-4P tells the payer of your periodic pension or annuity payments how much federal income tax to withhold. It works similarly to the W-4 for wages, but applies to retirement income.
How to fill out W-4P (Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments)
Enter personal information
Provide your name, address, and Social Security number.
Complete the withholding election
Choose your filing status, number of dependents, and any additional adjustments. Use the worksheets in the instructions to determine the right withholding amount for your situation.
Claim exemption (if applicable)
If you expect to owe no federal income tax for the year, you may claim exemption from withholding. Note that this election must be renewed each year.
Sign and submit to payer
Sign and date the form and submit it to the entity making your pension or annuity payments. The new withholding should take effect within a few payment cycles.
About W-4P (Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments)
Who needs this form
Retirees and beneficiaries receiving periodic pension or annuity payments who want to adjust their federal income tax withholding. This includes payments from employer pension plans, 401(k) distributions taken as periodic payments, and annuity contracts.
Where to submit
Submit to the payer of your pension or annuity (your former employer, plan administrator, or insurance company). Do not send this form to the IRS.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing Form W-4P (periodic payments) with Form W-4R (nonperiodic payments and eligible rollover distributions)
- Not adjusting withholding when income changes significantly in retirement
- Electing no withholding without considering estimated tax payment obligations
- Not accounting for other income sources (Social Security, part-time work) when setting the withholding amount
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What is the difference between Form W-4P and Form W-4R?
Form W-4P is for periodic pension or annuity payments (regular, recurring payments). Form W-4R is for nonperiodic payments (such as a lump-sum distribution from a 401(k) or an eligible rollover distribution). Use W-4P for your regular retirement income and W-4R for one-time or irregular distributions.
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