No it doesn't need to know your state tax liability or tax due is. It goes by the year PAID. You would be paying the 2025 state tax due in April 2026. On your federal 2025 return you can only deduct actual state payments made in 2025. So that would be a 2024 4th Qtr state estimated payment made in January 2025 and any state payments actually made in 2025. If you paid the 4th Qtr 2025 state estimated payment in Jan 2026 that would go on your 2026 federal deductions.
Like I just paid my 4th Qtr state estimated payment before Dec 31, 2025 so I can deduct it on my 2025 federal return. It's not due until Jan 15.
This answer has been verified for accuracy by an Intuit expert employee
