No. The date the IRS begins to open and accept e-file returns does not relate to the underpayment penalties.
The February 1st deadline for the last estimated tax payment (regular due date January 15th) is not a new legislation. Each year if you file your return by this date, then there is no underpayment penalty for the last quarterly payment.
The United States income tax system is a pay-as-you-go tax system, which means that you must pay income tax as you earn or receive your income during the year. If you didn't pay enough tax throughout the year, either through withholding or by making estimated tax payments, you may have to pay a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. Generally, most taxpayers will avoid this penalty if they either owe less than $1,000 in tax after subtracting their withholding and refundable credits, or if they paid withholding and estimated tax of at least 90% of the tax for the current year or 100% of the tax shown on the return for the prior year, whichever is smaller. Click here for the IRS page updated 1/26/2021
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
