Thursday, April 7, 2016

Simple way to fill out NC4 EZ

This blog post is a followup to my Simple way to fill out at W4 post.  This works well for filling out NC4 EZ and W4 for teens and single adults with no children.  This tax form is required to be filled out if you work in the great state of North Carolina.

Be advised that I am no financial adviser or tax adviser.  I am just an employer that has hired 100s of people that look at these documents with great confusion.  I have just grown weary of the lack of simple, straightforward resources on the web on how to fill these things out.

Here is best way to fill out NC4 EZ.  It matches up with the W4 from this post.



A few bullet points of interest:


  • I am no financial or tax adviser.  I have created this graphic from experience and internet research.
  • This solution is best suited for teens at their first job or single people with no children.  (However, I am married with 3 kids and still use the same figures)
  • This solution is for SIMPLE taxes and finances.
  • You can replace the 1's with 0's.  You will have MORE tax taken from your check each pay period.
  • However, having 0's means you will get a larger refund. Keep in mind, if you use 0's, this means Uncle Sam has been sitting on your money all year when you could have had it for yourself.
  • See my other post on how to fill out the W4.
  • Don't forget to fill out the other personal info: name, address, SS#, sign, and date.
  • If I have made a gross error here, please let me know in the comments so I can update my post.

Simple way to fill out a W4

I've hired 100s of people over the last 10-15 years.  For most folks, it's their first job.  They go cross eyed when they have to fill out a W4.  It is way more complicated than it has to be.  This post mirrors my blog post about how to fill out the NC4 EZ.

So, if it's your first job or you have simple taxes/finances the image below will tell you exactly how to fill it out correctly.



A few bullet points of interest:


  • I am no where remotely close to a tax or finance advisor.  My online research helped me develop this solution.  I've just seen lots of confused people.
  • This is only meant for extremely simple taxes and finances.  Perfect if you are a teenager or single with no children.  (Although, I am married with 3 kids and still am at a 1.)
  • You can replace the 1's with 0's if you would like a larger refund when you file your taxes.
  • IF you use 0's instead, you will pay MORE tax throughout the year -- hence the larger refund.
  • Using 0's means Uncle Sam will be sitting on YOUR money all year when you could have had it all along. 
  • If you are working in North Carolina, this is how to fill out the NC4 EZ.
  • DO NOT ADD ADDITIONAL TAX.  Unless you anticipate on winning the lottery.  :)
  • Make sure to fill out the rest of the stuff --- like your name, address, SS#, and for the love of God, please sign and date it.
  • If I have made a gross error here, please let me know in the comments so that I can update my post.