How and When to Pay Estimated Taxes?

📅 Payment Deadlines (Mark Your Calendar!). Please be aware that if a due date lands on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will shift to the following business day.

Payment Period	Deadline	What's Due
Jan 1 - Mar 31	April 15	Q1
Apr 1 - May 31	June 15	Q2
Jun 1 - Aug 31	September 15	Q3
Sep 1 - Dec 31	January 15	Q4

💻 How to Pay (3 Easy Methods)

1. IRS Direct Pay (Recommended)

                 Best for: Fast, free, no account needed

4 Easy Steps:
1. Go to IRS DirectPay
2. Select:
Reason: Estimated Tax
Apply to: 1040ES
Tax Period: Current year
3. Enter payment info (bank account/routing)
4. Get confirmation # (save this!)

⚠️Quick Note: For business payments, use the IRS's specific procedures, like EFTPS or other approved methods. Have your EIN ready and consult a tax professional if needed.

2. EFTPS (Auto-Pay System).

                 Best for: Recurring automatic payments

1. Register at EFTPS website and get a letter with the code (takes 1 week).
2. Follow the same steps as mentioned above when making a payment.
3. Plan and schedule future payments ahead of time.

3. Mail a Check.

                  Only if: You avoid online payments

1. Download and print your 1040-ES vouchers here
2. Ensure your check is made payable to "United States Treasury."
3. Send the voucher and check to the appropriate address for your state.

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🧮 How Much to Pay? (2 Simple Methods)

Method 1: Safe Harbor Shortcut

1. Look at your previous tax return total tax (Line 24 on Form 1040)
2. Divide by 4 → for Quarterly Payments

🎯 If your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) from the previous year was over $150k, you should make tax payments at 110%. For instance, if you owed $10k last year, you need to pay $2,750 per quarter.

Method 2: 90% Rule

1. Begin by estimating your total tax liability for the current year. This involves calculating your expected income, deductions, and credits to arrive at a projected tax amount.
2. Once you have your estimated total tax, ensure that your quarterly payments cover at least 90% of this amount. This means dividing your estimated tax by four and making sure each quarterly payment meets or exceeds this figure.

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How and When to Pay Estimated Taxes?