Estimated tax payment planner

What this planner answers

This worksheet compares two general annual prepayment targets for individuals: 90% of expected current-year tax and 100% of prior-year tax. The prior-year percentage becomes 110% when prior-year AGI exceeds $150,000, or $75,000 for married filing separately. Your prior return must cover a full 12-month year. These are penalty-planning targets, not reductions of your final tax bill. Enter the tax amounts specified by the Form 1040-ES worksheet, rather than a refund or the balance you paid when filing. The numbers here assume the worksheet treatment of credits is already reflected in those inputs.

Illustrative example

Expected current-year tax of $16,000 gives a $14,400 current-year target. Prior-year tax of $12,000 and AGI of $80,000 gives a $12,000 prior-year target. The smaller target is $12,000. After $4,000 of expected federal withholding, the annual estimated-payment amount is $8,000, or four equal $2,000 installments. If $3,000 has already been paid, the remaining annual amount is $5,000. That does not say whether earlier installments were on time.

Timing and exceptions

For the regular 2026 calendar-year schedule, installment dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027. Disaster relief, annualized income, farmers and fishers, nonresident aliens, prior-year zero tax and other exceptions require separate analysis. The less-than-$1,000 balance rule also needs the official worksheet; this planner does not decide it. An annual target paid late may still leave a penalty. Increasing withholding and making an estimated payment can receive different timing treatment. This planner does not calculate penalties or divide a catch-up balance by the dates remaining.

Source: IRS Publication 505 (2026), chapter 2, checked October 29, 2026. Confirm your situation with the current Form 1040-ES and, when needed, a qualified professional.