Hi,
Are you paying estimated taxes based on 110% of last year's taxes? If so, you should be fine just doing equal quarterly installments, you don't need to pay more in the first quarter, as long as those four equal installments add up to the total of last year's taxes.
The annualized income installment method is designed to help people who might make more LATER in the year (for instance, someone who makes a large percentage of sales after Thanksgiving). That way they don't have a big estimated tax bill at a time when they haven't made enough to cover it, and they don't end up with penalties for underpayment.
Agreed the annualized method is a hassle, and there is no good reason to use it if you make extra income in the first quarter. Better to put the extra 1Q money in an interest-bearing account and then pay the other equal quarterly installments when they are due.
All the normal caveats, this is not tax advice, consult a professional, etc.
Cheers, jamie
