Your paycheck is lying to you.
Overtime over-withholds your taxes. Upload a paystub and we'll show you the exact W-4 fix in 60 seconds.Take home an extra $815 every two weeks.
Your Next Paycheck Boost
Reclaim your April refund across every paycheck. Same money, sooner.
Skip the typing. Upload your paystub.
Image or PDF. We’ll auto-fill everything below. Works with ADP, Workday, Kronos, screenshots, or photos.
Photo, screenshot, or PDF · paste with Cmd+V · drag & drop · or just type your numbers below
Quick set (CA median total comp)
Ranges include shift differentials, OT, and certs typical for California major metros. Tweak the slider for your reality.
Reduce your taxable income with 401(k) (limit $24K), HSA ($4.4K self), and pre-tax health premiums. Maxing 401(k) alone saves ~$5,700 in tax at 24% marginal.
$2,200 credit each (2026)
$500 credit each (e.g. parent, college kid)
Most W-2 nurses get a refund because payroll over-withholds during overtime weeks. Payroll treats every paycheck as if you earn that much always. Typical refund: $2K-$5K/yr.
Reclaim your refund, every paycheck
Stop lending the IRS $3,200 interest-free. Spread your April refund across every paycheck instead.
Per week
+$62
Per 2 weeks
+$123
Per month
+$267
Per year
+$3,200
How to do this
2 lines on 2 forms. ~5 minutes. Effective next pay cycle.
Federal W-4 Step 4(b): Other deductions
Enter $9,610 in “Other deductions” (Step 4(b)).
This captures the rest of the over-withholding (typically from overtime weeks). Together with Step 3, your withholding drops by your full $3,200/year refund, spread across every paycheck.
State withholding
CA uses Form DE 4. Enter $9,610 in “Section 4: Itemized Deductions.”
Most state forms don't have a dependent credit equivalent. The Step 3 amount is federal only. Submit alongside your federal W-4 (same HR person).
⚠ Don't do these
- Don't claim “Exempt.” Only legal if you owed $0 last year AND expect $0 this year. Nurses earning $40K+ never qualify. Claiming exempt when you owe tax = underpayment penalty + interest.
- Don't use Step 4(c) “Extra withholding.” That adds withholding (less per check, bigger refund). The opposite of what you want.
- Don't double-count dependents. Step 3 is for the Child Tax Credit only. Don't also add those amounts to Step 4(b).
Math: Step 3 reduces withholding dollar-for-dollar (it's a tax credit). Step 4(b) reduces taxable income on paper (= remaining refund ÷ combined marginal rate). Be conservative: if numbers are uncertain, enter lower to avoid owing in April.
Estimate uses 2026 federal brackets + state marginal rates. Side income net is approximate (assumes federal + state + ~7% net SE tax). Not tax advice.
CA staff RN, $145K W-2, with OT. Your numbers come from your own paystub.
Find it on your own paystub.
One overtime check, line by line. Two withholding rows treat this check like you earn it every single week. You don't.
Earnings Statement
Pay period 03/02 to 03/15
$815 of that withholding is excess. Payroll annualized one big check. A W-4 update brings it back starting next pay cycle.
Illustrative example. Upload your own paystub above for your real numbers.
“I added $18K in income and cut my tax bill by $3,200. One afternoon of setup.”
Shift workers lose twice. Here's why.
Payroll over-withholds your overtime, and the 2018 tax law killed your work-expense deductions. If you earn a W-2 with irregular pay, you get hit: nurses, first responders, trades, factory crews.
Missing Deductions
Scrubs, tools, gear, certs, licenses, union dues, CE courses. None of it is deductible as a W-2 employee. That money disappears.
$3,200+
avg. lost deductions/yr
Overtime Penalty
You work 50+ hours a week. Your overtime gets withheld at your highest marginal rate, over 40% in California.
40%+
effective OT tax rate
No Path Forward
You know a side business could help, but navigating taxes, licensing, and setup alone feels impossible.
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Log expenses as you go. We calculate deductions in real-time. At year-end, export a clean tax package or get matched with a CPA.
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+$815 / 2 weeks
typical CA staff RN result
Disclaimer: RyzeFi is an educational tool and is not a substitute for professional tax or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified tax professional or CPA before making tax or business decisions.