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Level 2
posted Mar 2, 2021 4:21:46 PM

I've large capital gains for 1st qtr 21. Am I required to quarterly pay 110% (safe harbor) of my 2020 taxes or pay 2021 capital gains tax on each quarters sales.

I want to avoid paying penalties

0 2 359
2 Replies
Level 15
Mar 2, 2021 5:03:30 PM

penalties can be avoided for 2021 if your timely withholding and estimated tax payments are 90% of 2021 tax or 100% of 2020 tax (110% if your AGI for 2020 was over $150,000 or $75,000 if MFS). 

timely means

25% by 4/15/2021

50% by 6/15/2021

75% by 9/15/2021

100% by 01/15/2022 - withholding for 2020 can only be through 12/31/2021

withholding is assumed to occur evenly throughout the year but a taxpayer can choose to apply withholding to the period it was actually paid.  2210 must be filed and box  D in part II

 

 

there is also no underpayment penalty if the tax due for 2021 after subtracting withholding, but not estimated tax payments, is less than $1,000 or the taxpayer was a US citizen or resident and had no tax liability on a 2020 return that cover 12 months, ie citizen or resident for all of 2020 

 

you can also use the annualized income (AI) method in form 2210 to compute what must be paid in for the 3,5,8 and 12 months. see form 2210 and read the instructions for this carefully because the AI method is tricky. if you use the AI method for one period it must be used for all periods

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2210.pdf 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2210.pdf 

 

 

 

Level 2
Mar 2, 2021 5:55:16 PM

Thank you