Tax Forms

William Paterson University Payroll Team are not Tax Accountants and will not give tax advice to employees on how to fill out their W-4. Please refer to the IRS (www.IRS.govwebsite if you have questions on how to fill out your W-4. Please also note that if you claimed exempt status previously on your W-4, you are required to re-select your exempt status by February. 15, 2024, in order to continue to be exempt from withholding during 2024. You may update your W-4 information by logging in to Workday and follow the instruction on the Quick Reference Guide.

Federal Withholding Taxes

Every employee must complete a form W-4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate before an employee can be paid and so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay. Employees should consider completing a new Form W-4 each year and when your personal or financial situation changes.

If you are a resident - alien and the country of which you are a citizen has a treaty with the United States of America relative to federal withholding tax, and /or Social Security/ Medicare tax, you may be exempt from all or a part of these taxes. To exempt you from these taxes you must provide the appropriate documentation.

Please log into your Employee Dashboard to submit or update your Federal W-4 Form.


FICA and Medicare Taxes

FICA is often referred to as the Social Security tax.

For the calendar year 2024, the first $168,600 gross taxable wages are subject to the FICA tax rate of 6.2 percent.

The maximum amount of FICA tax which an employee will pay for 2024 is $10,453.20

If you work two or more jobs and each employer withholds FICA tax and the total FICA tax paid by you in 2024 exceeds $10,453.20, you are entitled to a tax credit for the amount exceeding $10,453.20 when you file your 1040 for 2024.

All the gross taxable wages earned in 2024 are subject to the Medicare tax rate of 1.45 percent.

There is no maximum or ceiling to the amount of Medicare tax which you pay.


State of New Jersey Withholding Tax

All employees, except those who file state income taxes with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, must file a form NJ-W4.

NJ Form W4 must be completed before an employee can be paid.

NJ Form W4 indicates your tax filing status (i.e. single, or married); it also permits you to have additional money withheld for New Jersey State Gross Income Tax purposes.

The State of New Jersey has a reciprocal agreement only with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania relative to state income taxes.

If you live and/or file New York State income taxes, you must pay New Jersey State income taxes.

To elect or update your current NJ income tax filing status or exemptions, please follow these instructions:


New York State Withholding Taxes

The State of New Jersey does not have a reciprocal agreement with the State of New York relative to state income taxes.

If you reside in New York State you must also pay New Jersey State Income Taxes since you are employed in New Jersey.

The University will withhold New York State Income Tax in addition to NJ Income Tax as a courtesy to New York state residents.

We do not withhold any local taxes for New York. It is the employee's responsibility to make any required payments for any New York Local Income Tax. Employees who wish to have NY State Income Taxes withheld in addition to NJ State Income Tax should complete a NY State Withholding Allowance Certificate. Please follow these instructions to submit the form:


State of Pennsylvania Income Withholding Tax

The State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have an agreement relative to state income withholding taxes. If you are a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and work in the State of New Jersey, you do not necessarily have to pay New Jersey State Gross Income Tax.

If you are a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and do not want to pay New Jersey State Income Tax, you must complete an Employee's Certificate of Non- Residence in New Jersey. 

If you work in New Jersey you are still required to pay New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance, Unemployment Compensation, Workforce Development and Family Leave Insurance Taxes.

If you wish to file an Employee's Certificate of Non-Residence in New Jersey, please follow these instructions to submit the form: