In most cases, you must make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year—over and above the amount withheld from your wages. In some cases, though, the $1,000 trigger point doesn’t matter.
- If your prior year Adjusted Gross Income was $150,000 or less, then you can avoid a penalty if you pay either 90 percent of this year’s income tax liability or 100 percent of your income tax liability from last year (dividing what you paid last year into four quarterly payments). This rule helps if you have a big spike in income one year, say, because you sell an investment for a huge gain or win the lottery. If wage withholding for the year equals the amount of tax you owed in the previous year, then you wouldn’t need to pay estimated taxes, no matter how much extra tax you owe on your windfall.
- If your prior year’s Adjusted Gross Income was greater than $150,000, then you must pay either 90 percent of this year’s income tax liability or 110 percent of last year’s income tax liability.
What forms do I need to determine my estimated taxes?
For estimated taxes, use Form 1040-ES: Estimated Tax for Individuals. Form 1040-ES includes a worksheet to help you determine your estimated tax.
When are my estimated taxes due?
The installment payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the following year. You can skip the final payment if you will file your return and pay all the tax due by February 1. If a due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline is pushed to the next business day.
To ensure you are paying the correct amount, contact us for assistance.