What is the purpose of the W-4 form?

The W-4 form is designed to inform employers about how much federal income tax to withhold from an employee's paycheck. By completing this form, an employee provides their filing status, number of dependents, and any additional amount they wish to be withheld. This ensures that the correct amount of tax is deducted throughout the year based on the employee’s financial situation. If too little is withheld, the employee may owe additional taxes at the end of the year; if too much is withheld, they may receive a refund.

In contrast, reporting annual earnings involves forms like the W-2, which summarizes an employee's earnings and tax withholdings for the year. Providing proof of employment can typically be done through a variety of means, but a W-4 is not among them. The application for a mortgage loan involves different forms and processes altogether, unrelated to the withholding of taxes from income.