Many Americans give the IRS an interest-free loan each year by overwithholding. Small tweaks to your 2026 W-4 can help you keep more of your paycheck while still getting a healthy refund. Learn easy, practical steps to maximize your tax refund and avoid surprises at tax time.

The 2025 tax law brings new opportunities for W-2 employees to keep more of their paycheck. If you earn tips, overtime, or bonuses, the latest changes could mean less tax taken out of each pay period.

In this post, CPAs explain what’s new for workers, how to update your W-4, and how to make sure your withholdings match your goals. You’ll also learn smart ways to use benefits like HSAs, 401(k)s, and dependent care accounts to lower your taxable income.