Skip to main content
March 27, 2025
Question

Estimated Taxes

  • March 27, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

Last year I used TurboTax and it printed out a schedule of Fedreal and State estimated taxes with vouchers, amounts and due dates. This year, it only did that for State taxes. I tried going back into my return to see if I'd missed something, but I can't find anything about Estimated Taxes for federal returns. Help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

    1 reply

    JohnB5677
    March 28, 2025

    Federal Estimated payments may not be recommended this year.

     

    • Did you pay the federal estimated payments?
    • Did you get a significant federal refund?
    • Did you prepare and give your employer a W-4 (Withholding calculation).

    The underpayment penalty will be assessed if any of these apply:

    • "If you don’t pay enough tax through withholding and estimated tax payments, you may have to pay a penalty."
    • "You also may have to pay a penalty if your estimated tax payments are late, even if you are due a refund when you file your tax return."

    To avoid the under payment penalty:

    • The amount you owe is less than $1,000, after subtracting withholding and refundable credits.
    • You paid 90% of the tax that you owed for the current year.
    • You paid 100% of the previous year tax, (110% for higher incomes).
    • If your previous year's adjusted gross income was more than $150,000 you will have to pay in 110% of your previous year's taxes to satisfy the "safe-harbor" requirement.

    "Typically, underpayment penalties are 5% of the underpaid amount, and they're capped at 25%. 

    Underpaid taxes also accrue interest at a rate that the IRS sets annually."

     

    To avoid this situation it is recommended that you adjust your W-4 with your employer or pay estimated taxes.

    Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals Penalty

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
    fcromerAuthor
    March 28, 2025

    Thanks for your reply!

     

    To answer a couple of the questions...I'm retired and didn't recieve a refund. In fact, I paid almost $1K, and I've paid estimated taxes for the past few years, probably each year since retiring. I can, and will, adjust my withholding, but I'm still concerned about under payment penalties. I'm not sure how to calculate what my withholding should be. Is there a calculator out there that I should be using? Thanks again.

    LindaS5247
    March 31, 2025

    You can use Form 1040-ES to calculate your estimated taxes. Form 1040-ES. There is a worksheet included to calculate your estimated taxes.

     

    The IRS has a calculator for determining withholdings: Tax Withholding Estimator

     

    You can use the TurboTax W-4 Withholding Calculator to help you find the right withholding when completing a new W-4. You can use this info to boost your refund or increase your take-home pay.)

     

     

    Click here for Estimated Taxes: How to Determine What to Pay and When

     

    Click here for Estimated taxes

     

     

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"