Scutage Estimated Tax Safe-Harbor Planner Kept in this browser Demo
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The Plan
Payments
Four payments, worked out from last year's return, that keep the underpayment penalty off
The Plan
Last year's tax and AGI, this year's withholding and estimate: the safe-harbor amount and the four installments.
 
Payments
Each payment made, with its confirmation number, against what was owed by each due date - and where the year is short.
 
These Records
Where they are kept, and how to take them to your preparer.
 
The Plan×

The IRS charges no underpayment penalty if what you paid in by each due date covers the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's - 110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000 ($75,000 married filing separately) - and last year's return covered twelve months. If this year's tax less withholding comes to under $1,000, no estimated tax is needed at all. The amount is paid in four equal installments: April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 (a weekend moves it to Monday; holidays are not counted here).

Payments×

A payment counts toward the installments due on or after its date. Each one needs the IRS confirmation number (Direct Pay, EFTPS or the IRS account) before it is recorded. The penalty itself is figured on Form 2210; this shows where the year stands against each date.

These Records×
Confirm×