What is the maximum number of allowances for a W-4 form?
There really is no maximum. There used to be a rule that required an employer to send the W-4 to the IRS if the employer had 10 or more allowances on it, but that rule no longer exists. You are correct that putting EXEMPT on the W-4 is not an option. One thing to consider is asking your employer to use the “cumulative wage method” for calculating withholding. Depending on the payroll program they use, it may (or may not be) a simple process. Basically, the idea is to recalculate the withholding for the entire year every time payroll is run.
