Quarterly Payment Planning

Compare ordinary federal estimated-payment methods using a reviewed annual tax forecast. This is a planning estimate: it does not calculate your income tax return or decide what you should pay today.

Review your inputs

Tax yearFiling statusExpected annual federal tax after refundable credits

Use the selected year’s 1040-ES worksheet line 11c. A partial-year dashboard total is not automatically a full-year forecast.

Expected full-year federal withholdingPrior-year returnI reviewed tax adjustments, refundable credits and full-year withholding using the 1040-ES instructions. These are not just a balance due or payments made.The ordinary calendar-year regular method applies, with income from the first period. I do not need annualization, farming/fishing, nonresident, fiscal-year, section 1062 or special-relief rules.

Complete the facts to show an illustration. Missing inputs are not treated as zero.

Keep a record of each actual payment date and amount. Prior payments are not subtracted and redistributed across four past deadlines. No “paid,” “on track” or penalty verdict is produced.

IRS Publication 505: estimated-tax rules IRS Form 1040-ES worksheet and official vouchers (choose the 2026 edition)

Installment dates shown already move to the next business day when the 15th falls on a weekend or legal holiday.