topic Do I need to pay estimated taxes on capital gains from the sale of equity from an acquisition? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Do I need to pay estimated taxes on capital gains from the sale of equity from an acquisition?

ahelton9462 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:56:17 GMT

Hello -

My employer was bought recently, and the employees were paid out from out RSU's resulting in capital gains for the year. This happened in late December. I have heard two stories on how to go about paying taxes.

Without the payment, I would be getting about $1500 back on my return this year. Do I need to estimate the taxes for the capital gains and pay those before the January 17th deadline?

Re: Do I need to pay estimated taxes on capital gains from the sale of equity from an acquisition?

ee-ea — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 23:12:24 GMT

Proably not. See this info on estimates; https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/small-business-taxes/estimated-taxes-how-to-determine-what-to-pay-and-when/L3OPIbJNw

Re: Do I need to pay estimated taxes on capital gains from the sale of equity from an acquisition?

Hal_Al — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:14:27 GMT

Q. Do I need to estimate the taxes for the capital gains and pay those before the January 17th deadline?

A. Simple answer: Yes. If you have a 4th quarter bump in income, without withholding, you MAY need to make a 4th quarter estimated payment by Jan 17.

But, in your case, probably not. If the tax on the gain is less than $2500, you will not be subject to an underpayment penalty. $2500 - 1500 =1000.

If you expect to owe (balance due) less than $1,000 in federal taxes at tax filing time, you do not need to make estimated quarterly tax payments.

Re: Do I need to pay estimated taxes on capital gains from the sale of equity from an acquisition?

ahelton9462 — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 01:15:15 GMT

The gain was more than $2,500.

Re: Do I need to pay estimated taxes on capital gains from the sale of equity from an acquisition?

Hal_Al — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 01:51:30 GMT

It's not the gain, it's the tax on the gain. Long term capital gains are usually tax at 15%. Some of it could actually be taxed at 0%. If your income is high enough, some could be taxed at 20%