Tax Information
When and Why to Check your Withholding
Check your tax withholding every year, especially when you change your tax withholding mid-year to adjust as needed with a new W-4.
There are several reasons to check your withholding:
- It can protect against having too little tax withheld and facing an unexpected tax bill or penalty at tax time next year.
- It can let you adjust your tax withheld up front, so you receive a bigger paycheck and smaller refund at tax time.
Federal Withholding
Form W-4 must be completed by each employee at UTEP in order for the Payroll department to determine how much income tax to withhold from each paycheck.
It's important to note that, in accordance with the IRS, if the W-4 is not completed in a timely manner, is completed incorrectly or is altered in any way, the tax withheld must be based on a single filing status with NO allowances.
When Should I Change My Form W-4?
- If you had to pay additional taxes when you filed your Form 1040 last year and expect similar circumstances this year.
- If you had a major life change:
- New job or other paid work
- Major income change
- Marriage (please notify Human Resource Services immediately to ensure appropriate insurance coverage)
- Child birth or adoption (please notify Human Resource Services immediately to ensure appropriate insurance coverage)
- Home purchase
- If you got a substantial refund from the IRS last year and expect similar circumstances this year.
- If you expect a lump-sum check for consultant work, and you don't want the marginal tax rate to apply for that pay. Note: If you change your W-4 for that purpose, don't forget to change it back.
How do I change my W-4 status?
Employees have the ability to change their W-4 filing status at any time through the Employee Self-Service Module in PeopleSoft.
Once you are logged into PeopleSoft, you can view the Homepage. Under the Employee Self Service section you will find Payroll & Compensation. Click on W-4 Tax Information. You have the option to view or change any information and it electronically feeds into the UTEP payroll system.
If you have more questions about your withholding ask your tax advisor for guidance.
W-2 Information
Active employees can obtain access to their electronic w-2 by providing consent. Click on W-2 Electronic Set Up for assistance on consenting.
- Electronic W-2s will be available by mid-January.
- Email notifications will be sent to those that have consented when the form is available.
Active employees who have not consented to receive their w-2s electronically and need to update their mailing address, can find the steps by clicking on Address Update.
Former employees who need to have their mailing address updated can do so by emailing EIS@utep.edu.
- Paper copies of w-2s will be mailed out no later than January 31, 2024.
- Incorrect mailing addresses will delay receipt of w-2s and the Payroll office will not be reprinting or resending any w-2s until after mid-February.
Payroll Tax Deferral
The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued Notice 2020-65, implementing the recent Presidential Memorandum that allows employers the option to defer (i.e., postpone) withholding and payment of Social Security tax for wages paid September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. However, The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso, with guidance from UT System, has decided not to implement the Payroll Tax Deferral.
UTEP will continue withholding and submitting the employee’s portion of the social security taxes.
Please contact the UTEP Payroll Office with any questions at payroll@utep.edu or 915-747-5109.