What Is Form W-4P Used For?
Form W-4P, or Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments, is used to tell the payer of your periodic pension, annuity, or IRA payments how much federal income tax to withhold. Periodic payments come at regular intervals over more than one year; withholding elections for nonperiodic payments and eligible rollover distributions use Form W-4R instead.
Who Should Use Form W-4P?
Form W-4P should be used by anyone receiving periodic pension, annuity, or IRA payments who wants to set or change federal tax withholding. They should submit a separate form for each payment source; meanwhile, nonresident aliens shouldn't use it and should consult IRS Publication 515.
When Is Form W-4P Due?
Form W-4P has no fixed due date and doesn't go to the IRS. You should give it to your payer before payments begin, or whenever your situation changes, such as a new pension, marital status, or income, so withholding reflects your current circumstances.
What Happens If Form W-4P Is Not Submitted?
If you don't submit Form W-4P or fail to provide a valid SSN as required, your payer generally withholds federal income tax as if you were single, with no adjustments in Steps 2 through 4. If other information is missing, check with your payer about how to correct the form
This may over- or under-withhold, and too little withholding can mean owing tax and possibly an underpayment penalty rather than a separate Form W-4P penalty.
How and Where Do I File Form W-4P?
You file Form W-4P by giving it to the payer of your pension or annuity, such as a plan administrator or insurance company. Submission options vary by payer, so it’s best to check whether yours accepts mail, in-person, or online delivery.