2026 Federal Tax exemption W-4 refiling deadline

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires all employees who claimed total exemption from federal income taxes in calendar year 2025 to refile a new W-4 Form no later than February 15, 2026.

If any employee had claimed total exemption from federal income tax during 2025 and fails to refile a 2026 W-4 Form in Workday by 2/15, the IRS requires WSU Payroll Services to automatically update that employee’s withholding to the following: single or married, filing separately with no other entries in step 2, 3, and 4 withholding adjustments. Tax refunds will not be issued for failing to update W-4 withholding by the required deadline.

Employees who did not file exempt from federal income tax withholding in 2025 are not required to take any action, however, employees are encouraged to review their tax elections in Workday and make changes as necessary. Checking tax elections in Workday is an employee self-service action. Instructions on this process can be found in this reference guide.

Questions or concerns regarding this matter may be directed to WSU Payroll Services at payroll@wsu.edu