Payroll Department Offers Tax Form Reminders for 2011

New Form W-4

The Payroll Department reminds employees (staff, faculty and students) that a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, can be completed at any time. The information from this form is used by Payroll in determining the federal and state income taxes withheld from your paychecks. A Form W-4 remains in effect until an employee provides Payroll with a new one. Generally, employees are not required to file new forms each year.  

Employees are encouraged to file updated W-4 forms if withholding allowances have changed or will change in the next year. If employees expect to owe more taxes or receive large refunds when filing 2010 tax returns, they may consider completing new W-4 forms. Current withholding allowances are printed on pay stubs and also are available on Murphy Online under Employee Services.  

The IRS provides an online withholding calculator to help determine how many withholding allowances to claim. Employees also can ask their tax advisers for assistance with completing their W-4 forms at the time their 2010 tax returns are being prepared. 

Employees who claim they are exempt from federal income tax withholding must complete new W-4 forms by Feb. 15, 2011, to have those exemptions continue into 2011.

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New Minnesota Reciprocity Form (MWR)

Employees who are Michigan or North Dakota residents who work in Minnesota are required to complete new MWR forms by Feb. 28, 2011, to continue exemptions from Minnesota income tax withholding in 2011.

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Access to forms

Form W-4 and the Minnesota MWR form can be accessed from the Payroll website. Employees should send completed and signed forms to Payroll at AQU 221.