You can change your tax withholding details at any time, including filing status (single or married), the number of allowances claimed, additional withholding, and tax-exempt status.
Make changes to tax withholding

Go to AtlasAbout Me, and choose Tax Withholding from the menu on the left.

For help completing the online form, consult the IRS Online W4 Form Resources and the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator tool “paycheck checkup” to help you make sure you have the right amount of tax withheld from your paycheck.

Increase or decrease your additional withholding

Click on Tax Withholding from the Atlas menu. Enter the extra amount you would like to have withheld from your pay in the “Additional Withholding” field. This will increase the taxes withheld from your pay. The sum you indicate will continue to be withdrawn from your pay unless you make further changes to this form. 

Keep in mind that all taxes are withheld from your salary first and then deductions are taken (for your health insurance and 401K, for example). When you increase your tax withholding amount, be sure you will have sufficient wages after taxes to cover your deductions.

 

Change your tax-exempt status

Under some circumstances, you may be exempt from tax withholding and can elect to have no federal taxes deducted from your pay. Note that even if you are exempt from withholding you are still required to file your taxes and report your earnings. MIT is required by law to report all earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), whether taxes were withheld or not.

To change your tax-exempt status, go to AtlasAbout Me, and choose Tax Withholding from the menu on the left. Click on Edit, then Tax Exempt, and select "yes" or "no" when the dropdown box appears. If you choose “yes,” no federal taxes will be deducted from your pay.

The same holds true for state taxes, even if you have no state taxes withheld, you must file a state tax return and report your income. MIT is required to report your earnings to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Note changes in Massachusettes Income Tax withholding

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts allows for a tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) and Medicare taxes up to $2,000. The MIT payroll system takes this deduction into account when calculating how much to withhold for your Massachusetts income tax. Once the Social Security and Medicare year-to-date balances reach $2,000, your effective MA tax withholding will be slightly higher. This adjustment occurs each calendar year.

Review withholding for international employees and students

For details see "MIT HR/Payroll Resources and Guidance" on this page of the Tax Guidance for Nonresident Aliens website.

The Details

Make changes to tax withholding

Go to AtlasAbout Me, and choose Tax Withholding from the menu on the left.

For help completing the online form, consult the IRS Online W4 Form Resources and the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator tool “paycheck checkup” to help you make sure you have the right amount of tax withheld from your paycheck.

Increase or decrease your additional withholding

Click on Tax Withholding from the Atlas menu. Enter the extra amount you would like to have withheld from your pay in the “Additional Withholding” field. This will increase the taxes withheld from your pay. The sum you indicate will continue to be withdrawn from your pay unless you make further changes to this form. 

Keep in mind that all taxes are withheld from your salary first and then deductions are taken (for your health insurance and 401K, for example). When you increase your tax withholding amount, be sure you will have sufficient wages after taxes to cover your deductions.

 

Change your tax-exempt status

Under some circumstances, you may be exempt from tax withholding and can elect to have no federal taxes deducted from your pay. Note that even if you are exempt from withholding you are still required to file your taxes and report your earnings. MIT is required by law to report all earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), whether taxes were withheld or not.

To change your tax-exempt status, go to AtlasAbout Me, and choose Tax Withholding from the menu on the left. Click on Edit, then Tax Exempt, and select "yes" or "no" when the dropdown box appears. If you choose “yes,” no federal taxes will be deducted from your pay.

The same holds true for state taxes, even if you have no state taxes withheld, you must file a state tax return and report your income. MIT is required to report your earnings to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Note changes in Massachusettes Income Tax withholding

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts allows for a tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) and Medicare taxes up to $2,000. The MIT payroll system takes this deduction into account when calculating how much to withhold for your Massachusetts income tax. Once the Social Security and Medicare year-to-date balances reach $2,000, your effective MA tax withholding will be slightly higher. This adjustment occurs each calendar year.

Review withholding for international employees and students

For details see "MIT HR/Payroll Resources and Guidance" on this page of the Tax Guidance for Nonresident Aliens website.