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Entering an Employee's Tax Form W-4 Withholding Allowance Certificate in HRS
Overview
This document explains how to add Tax Form W-4 Employee's Withholding Certificate in PeopleSoft HRS for a new employee and update W-4 tax status for existing employees. Form W-4 is used to withhold the correct federal and state income tax from the employee's pay.Process Considerations:
- Non-Wisconsin Residents may be responsible for filing non-resident taxes for Wisconsin and resident taxes in the state in which they legally reside. If the employee works in one of the following states, the employee can have wages reported to CA, IA, IL, MA, MI, MN, NC, VA or WI.
- Wisconsin currently has reciprocity agreements with four states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. These agreements state, in general, that residents of these states will be taxed on personal service income by their home state, rather than by Wisconsin.
- The Local Tax Data Page is not used.
- Information entered on the Federal and State Tax Data tabs should match the information the employee entered on their Form W-4s.
- Foreign National Employees should use the Glacier Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance System to determine if they are a resident or nonresident alien for tax purposes. Refer to [Link for document 17409 is unavailable at this time]. If you are updating their federal employee tax data page, but do not have a copy of their Glacier Tax Summary Report, you may update their number of withholding allowances, but should not change the Federal Special Withholding Tax Status listed. Validate that they have a visa type listed in HRS: Workforce Administration > Personal Information > Citizenship > Identification Data > Visa/Permit Data. If row 1 does not list a visa type, enter FNL. Refer to KB Adding Visa Data (Cross reference to International Tax) in HRS
Instructions for Entering an Employee's Tax Form W-4 (Employee Withholding Certificate) in HRS (New Hire)
1. Navigate to: Payroll for North America > Employee Pay Data USA > Tax Information > Update Employee Tax Data.
5. To add a new effective date row, click the plus icon, located in the Effective Date section.

6. In the new Effective Date field, change the current date to the day after the hire date (e.g. hire date plus 1 day).

Select the correct *Special Withholding Tax Status
a) Default value is None. This means no special status exists and that federal withholding tax should be calculated based on the employee's gross income, marital status, and withholding allowance. (This option applies for most employees).
b) No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken option - Employee does not have reporting and withholding obligations with the U.S. Federal government. (This is not a common option). One example would be for non U.S. Citizens or foreign nationals who are working for the University in a foreign country and are not required to file federal tax in the United States.
c) Maintain Taxable Gross - Employee has to report taxable wages to the U.S. Federal government, but tax does not have to be withheld from the employee's wages. Two examples are:
i) Employee claims EXEMPT for Federal Tax by completing "Exempt" under line 4(c) on their Form W-4.
ii)Employee has an applicable IRS Form 673 | Statement for Claiming Exemption From Withholding on Foreign Earned Income Eligible for the Exclusion(s) Provided by Section 911 on file.
d) Non-Resident Alien option - Employee is a non-resident alien or claiming tax treaty.
10. In the Dependent Amount field, enter the flat dollar amount of dependents from the employee's Form W-4 on line 3.
13. In the Additional Amount field, enter the flat dollar amount of Extra withholding to be withheld per paycheck. This amount should match what is on the employee's Form W-4 line 4(c).
17. In the Lock-In Details section verify if a lock in letter has been received and entered by the UWSS Service Operations
Letter Received checkbox - This is selected to indicate that the employee has received a lock-in letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
● All lock in letters are processed at the Service Center. A new W4 can only be entered if it falls within this limitation. (ie. The employee defined a lower withholding allowance than the limitation, which will allow more tax withheld).
● Limit On Allowances number: (Default value is 0). The number that is entered is the amount defined in the lock in letter as the employee's federal withholding allowance limitation.
18. The State Tax Options section is not used at the University of Wisconsin.
20. In the Tax Form Renewal field, click on the data lookup icon to display a list of special tax forms.
21. In the Look Up Tax Form Renewal, Search Results screen, select the desired IRS special tax form (IRS Form 673 is the only form that applies on the Federal Page).
22. When finished entering information on the Federal Tax Data tab, DO NOT SAVE YET. You will need to enter and/or verify information on the State Tax Data tab.
Entering an Employee's State Tax Data from Form W-4 (New Hire)
To access the State Tax Data tab:● If your cursor is at the top of the page, click the State Tax Data
● If your cursor is at the bottom of the page, you can click the State Tax Data hyperlink.On the State Tax Data page, the Effective Date for the hire date plus 1 is copied over from the Federal Tax Data page. This is because the Federal Tax Data page and the State Tax Data pages are linked together.
Note: In PeopleSoft, an employee is required to have both a Resident State and a UI Jurisdiction State.2. In the Special Withholding Tax Status, there are several options available:
4. In the Tax Marital Status, the default value is Single, enter the value that appears on the employee's WT-4.
- None (default value). This means no special tax status exists, and that State withholding tax should be calculated based on the employee's gross income, marital status, and withholding allowance. (This option applies for most employees).
- No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken option - Select this option if the employee has indicated they are a resident of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan or Kentucky from Form W-4. Also select this option if the employee is living and working in a state other than Wisconsin. If entering this tax status, the UW Special Tax Form field must be completed, detail below.
- Maintain Taxable Gross option - Select this option if the employee is exempt from State of Wisconsin withholding tax. (On the employee's WT-4 form, this would be indicated on line 3).
- Non-Resident Alien option - Employee is a non-resident alien or claiming tax treaty.
● If the withholding status is "Married but withhold at higher single rate", select S for Single.5. Enter the Withholding Allowances, (The default value is 0)an employee claims for state withholding tax purposes, defined on WT-4 form line 1(d).
● If the employee is claiming exempt from withholding, their selection should be "X".
6. In the Additional Amount field - Enter the flat dollar amount of additional State Tax to be withheld per paycheck, defined on WT-4 form line 2.
● Additional Allowances, only used with California residents.7. In the Lock-In Details section:
● Letter Received checkbox - This is selected to indicate that the employee has received a lock-in letter from a state's Department of Revenue (All lock in letters are processed at the Service Center)8. The Tax Form Renewal Processing Status section lists options to indicate the workflow status of the State Exempt form renewal status.
● Limit On Allowances number: (Default value is 0). The number that is entered is the amount defined on the lock in letter as the employee's State withholding allowance limitation.
9. The UW Special Tax Form Code section is customized for the University of Wisconsin to record special State tax forms for which an employee might file. This field must be completed if an individual claims NTT/NTG on the Wisconsin State Tax page.
● In the Look Up Tax Form Renewal, Search Results screen, select the desired special State tax form.
10. To save the W-4 record for the new employee, click Save, located at the bottom of the screen."02" = WI W-200: Form W-200, Certificate of Exemption from Withholding for Prepayment of Estimated Tax (if the employee is claiming exempt status for • WI tax).
"03" = WI WT-4A: Wisconsin Employee Withholding Agreement (if the employee submits this form with their W-4)
"04" = WI W-220: Non-Resident Employee's Withholding Reciprocity Declaration (if the employee claims a State Reciprocity on the University's W-4 form).
"06" = CA DE-4: Employee files a CA DE-4, see California tax section below for more instructions.
"07" = Wisconsin Non-Resident working outside of WI. If the employee identifies on the Supplemental Form W-4 that they are working out of state, set them to NTT/NTG tax status and select this code.
Note: The Local Tax Data tab is not used.
Entering State Tax Data for States other than Wisconsin
If Employee is Legal Resident of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan or Kentucky (the employee would have checked one of the reciprocity declaration boxes on their W4) make the following changes:
1. In the State Information Section:● Uncheck the Resident box so that it is blank.
● Check the box labeled, "Non-Residency Statement Filed"
2. In the Special Withholding Tax Status field select No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken.Note: This option indicates the employee has filled out the proper paperwork for reciprocity, which can be found on the W-4 form or the separate Wisconsin Tax Form W-220 NonResident Employee's Withholding Reciprocity Declaration).
If Employee is a Legal Resident of Another State (Not WI, CA, IN, IL, MI, or KY) and works IN WI (employee would have defined tax residence location on W4 outside of WI, but work location as WI):
1. In the State Information Section:● Leave the default values "as is" (Resident and UI Jurisdiction checked)2. In the Special Withholding Tax Status leave the default value of "None".
Note: Employees are liable for taxes in Wisconsin so the withholding is the same as if they were a Wisconsin resident.
If Employee is a Legal Resident of Another State (Not WI, CA, IN, IL, MI, or KY) and Works OUTSIDE of WI (employee would have defined tax residence AND work location outside of WI on W4):
1. In the State Information Section:
● Leave the UI Jurisdiction checked and uncheck Resident
2. In the Special Withholding Tax Status select No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken.
3. In the UW Special Tax Form Code Section:
● Select 07 for Non-Wisconsin Resident and Work Outside of Wisconsin.
If Employee is a Legal Resident and WORKS in California:
NOTE: we need to also collect CA W4 also (DE-4) when the employee claims exempt from CA withholding. The DE-4 is also an acceptable document outside of the UW W-4. Send all CA W4's to the UWSS Service Operations for reporting requirements (fax 608-890-2327).
1. In the State (WI) Information Section:
● Uncheck Resident2. In the Special Withholding Tax Status (WI) select No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken.
● Verify UI Jurisdiction is checked
● Add a new row (click the plus sign to add a new row)4. In the State Withholding Elements section select Special Withholding Tax Status of None.
● In the new row, in the State field, click on the data lookup icon and select CA for California.
● Verify that Resident is checked and UI Jurisdiction box is unchecked.
● Select SDI Status: Not Applicable
5. Enter Marital Status, Withholding Allowances and any Additional Allowances - if applicable.
7. Add the Special Tax Form Code if the CA tax resident files a CA W4 Form (DE 4), code "06". *Required if they claim CA exemption from withholding.
If Employee is a Legal Resident of Illinois:
NOTE: We are required to collect and IL-W-4 for all IL reporting and withholding.
1. In the State (WI) Information Section:● Uncheck Resident2. In the Special Withholding Tax Status (WI) select No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken.
● Verify UI Jurisdiction is checked
● Add a new row (click the plus sign to add a new row)4. In the State Withholding Elements section select Special Withholding Tax Status of None.
● In the new row, in the State field, click on the data lookup icon and select IL for Illinois.
● Verify that Resident is checked and UI Jurisdiction box is unchecked.
5. Enter Tax Marital Status of Not Applicable or Exempt if claiming exempt.
6. Withholding Allowances from IL Form IL-W-4 line 1
7. Additional Amount - if applicable from IL Form IL-W-4 line 3
8. Additional Allowances - if applicable from Il Form IL-W-4 line 2
9. Click Save.
10. Enter Tax Distribution to IL 100% (employees are defaulted to WI). Path: Payroll for NA/Employee Pay Data USA/Tax Information/Update Employee Tax Distribution
NOTE: we need to also collect IA W-4 for all IA reporting and withholding.1. In the State (WI) Information Section:
● Uncheck Resident2. Back again in the State Information (WI) Section:
● Verify UI Jurisdiction is checked
● In the Special Withholding Tax Status (WI) select No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken.
● Add a new row (click the plus sign to add a new row)3. In the State Withholding Elements section select Special Withholding Tax Status of None.
● In the new row, in the State field, click on the data lookup icon and select IA for Iowa.
● Verify that Resident is checked and UI Jurisdiction box is unchecked.
4. Update Tax Marital Status (based on IA W-4).
5. Withholding Allowances from IA W-4 from line 6.
6. Additional Amount - if applicable from IA W-4 from line 7.
7. Click Save.
If Employee is a Legal Resident of Michigan:
NOTE: We are required to collect and MI-W-4 for all MI reporting and withholding.
1. In the State (WI) Information Section:● Uncheck Resident2. In the Special Withholding Tax Status (WI) select No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken.
● Verify UI Jurisdiction is checked
● Add a new row (click the plus sign to add a new row)4. In the State Withholding Elements section select Special Withholding Tax Status of None.
● In the new row, in the State field, click on the data lookup icon and select MI for Michigan.
● Verify that Resident is checked and UI Jurisdiction box is unchecked.
5. Enter Tax Marital Status of Not Applicable.
6. Withholding Allowances from Form MI-W4 line 6
7. Additional Amount - if applicable Form MI-W4 line 7
8. Click Save.
10. Enter Tax Distribution to MI 100% (employees are defaulted to WI). Path: Payroll for NA/Employee Pay Data USA/Tax Information/Update Employee Tax Distribution
If Employee is a Legal Resident and WORKS in Minnesota:
NOTE: we need to also collect W-4MN for all MN reporting and withholding.1. In the State (WI) Information Section:
● Uncheck Resident2. Back again in the State Information (WI) Section:
● Verify UI Jurisdiction is checked
● In the Special Withholding Tax Status (WI) select No Taxable Gross, No Tax Taken.
● Add a new row (click the plus sign to add a new row)3. In the State Withholding Elements section select Special Withholding Tax Status of None.
● In the new row, in the State field, click on the data lookup icon and select MN for Minnesota.
● Verify that Resident is checked and UI Jurisdiction box is unchecked.
4. Update Tax Marital Status.
5. Withholding Allowances from W-4MN line 1
6. Additional Amount - if applicable from W-4MN line 2
7. Click Save.
8. Enter Tax Distribution to MN 100% (employees are defaulted to WI).
9. Path: Payroll for NA/Employee Pay Data USA/Tax Information/Update Employee Tax Distribution
10. Add a new row for MN 100% tax distribution for each employee record. Us the same effective date as W4 page.
If the Employee is an International Non-resident Alien for Tax Purposes:
1. In the State Information Section:
● Leave the default values "as is" (Resident and UI Jurisdiction checked)
● In the Special Withholding Tax Status leave the default value of "None"
Update W-4 Tax Status for Existing Employees
Employees may submit updated tax withholding information throughout their employment for Federal and/or State purposes. Once the departments receive these W-4's, the employee's information will need to be updated accordingly. To update an Employee's Tax Form W-4 (Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate) in HRS (Existing Hire):
1. From the PeopleSoft HRS Main Menu, navigate to: Payroll for North America > Employee Pay Data USA > Tax Information > Update Employee Tax Data.
5. Add a new ROW on the Effective Date section for the new W-4 Form (click the Plus icon, located in the Effective Date section on the Federal Tax Data Page, which will also add a row to the State Tax Data page).
Additional Resources
Related KBs:
Related Links:
- (Form W-4 | Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate)
- IRS Form 673 Statement for Claiming Exemption From Withholding on Foreign Earned Income Eligible for the Exclusion(s) Provided by Section 911
- Wisconsin W-200 Certificate of Exemption from Withholding for Prepayment of Estimated Tax
- Wisconsin WT-4A Wisconsin Employee Withholding Agreement
- Wisconsin W-220 Nonresident Employee's Withholding Reciprocity Declaration
- Declaration of Wages for Non-Wisconsin Residents