I work at a university as an international scholar. I am a resident for tax purposes. My employer withheld my federal taxes until recently, but in October they decided to suddenly pay out all my withheld taxes for the whole year 2024. Because of their withholding, I have not paid estimated taxes at the IRS.
Assuming that the employer did not make a mistake, and that it indeed decided that I should not have taxes withheld (likely because they consider it a scholarship/stipend rather than salary, and I'm a resident for tax purposes)...
What can I do to avoid IRS penalties for not paying estimated taxes? Is there a way I can pay estimated taxes and communicate to the IRS that the not paying estimated taxes earlier, was outside of my fault? Will they care? Is this something I could do /now/ or when i file taxes?
