The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that estimated tax payments for tax year 2020, originally due April 15 and June 15, are now due July 15 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, any individual or corporation that has a quarterly estimated tax payment due has until July 15 to make that payment without penalty. This relief applies to federal income tax returns and tax payments (including tax on self-employment income) otherwise due April 15, 2020. This relief does not apply to state tax payments, deposits, or payments of any other type of federal tax.

Who needs to make estimated tax payments?

Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders, generally have to make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe tax of $1,000 or more when their return is filed. Similarly, investors, retirees, and others often need to make these payments. That is because a substantial portion of their income is not subject to withholding. Other income generally not subject to withholding includes interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony, and rental income.

Corporations generally have to make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe tax of $500 or more when their return is filed. Special rules apply to some groups of taxpayers, such as farmers, fishermen, casualty and disaster victims, those who recently became disabled, recent retirees, and those who receive income unevenly during the year.

Who does not need to make estimated tax payments?

Taxpayers that receive salaries and wages can avoid having to pay estimated tax by asking their employer to withhold more tax from their earnings. To do this, taxpayers can file a new Form W-4 with their employer. There is a special line on Form W-4 for you to enter the additional amount you want your employer to withhold. If you receive a paycheck, the IRS’s Tax Withholding Estimator will help you make sure you have the right amount of tax withheld from your paycheck.

Additionally, you do not have to pay estimated tax for the current year if you meet all three of the following conditions:

• You had no tax liability for the prior year
• You were a U.S. citizen or resident for the whole year
• Your prior tax year covered a 12-month period

You had no tax liability for the prior year if your total tax was zero or you did not have to file an income tax return.

How do I figure out my estimated tax payments?

Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders, can compute their estimated taxes by following the instructions on Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals. To compute your estimated tax, you must figure out your expected adjusted gross income, taxable income, taxes, deductions, and credits for the year. Corporations generally use Form 1120-W to compute estimated tax.

When and how should I pay Federal estimated taxes?

For estimated tax purposes, the year is divided into four payment periods. Estimated tax payments are typically due as follows:

• January 1 to March 31 – April 15
• April 1 to May 31 – June 15
• June 1 to August 31 – September 15
• September 1 to December 31 – January 15 of the following year

Note: As mentioned, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, 2020 estimated tax payments that otherwise would have been due April 15 and June 15, 2020, are postponed to July 15, 2020.

You may send estimated tax payments with Form 1040-ES by mail, or you can pay online, by phone or from your mobile device using the IRS2Go app. Visit IRS.gov/payments to view all the options. Using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is the easiest way for individuals as well as businesses (who must use EFTP) to pay federal taxes. Using EFTPS, allows you to set up direct payments in advance and access a history of your payments, so you know how much and when you made your estimated tax payments.

Are there penalties for underpayment of estimated tax?

If you did not pay enough tax throughout the year, either through withholding or by making estimated tax payments, you may have to pay a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. Generally, most taxpayers will avoid this penalty if they owe less than $1,000 in tax after subtracting their withholdings and credits, or if they paid at least 90% of the tax for the current year, or 100% of the tax shown on the return for the prior year, whichever is smaller.

Use Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts (or Form 2220, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Corporations), to see if you owe a penalty for underpaying your estimated tax or qualify for a penalty waiver. Please refer to the Form 1040 and 1040-SR Instructions or Form 1120 Instructions, for where to report the estimated tax penalty on your return.

What about Wisconsin estimated tax payments?

Federal extensions provided by the IRS may be used for Wisconsin income and franchise tax and pass-through withholding tax purposes. Estimated payments due on or after April 1, 2020 and before July 15, 2020 are extended to July 15, 2020. For information on the new Wisconsin filing and payment due dates, see the article Wisconsin Tax Return Due Dates and Payments.

O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing remains open and will continue to monitor federal and state law tax changes. For questions or further information relating to estimated tax payments, please contact Attorney Britany E. Morrison.