topic Turbotax says I owe a penalty for underpayment of taxes. I don't see this penalty on the IRS website. How do I pay this? How do I avoid this in the future? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Turbotax says I owe a penalty for underpayment of taxes. I don't see this penalty on the IRS website. How do I pay this? How do I avoid this in the future?

stephanie-buckle — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:08:18 GMT

Re: Turbotax says I owe a penalty for underpayment of taxes. I don't see this penalty on the IRS ...

MayaD — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:07:40 GMT

The underpayment penalty is owed when a taxpayer underpays the estimated taxes or makes uneven payments during the tax year that result in a net underpayment.

You may avoid the Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals Penalty if: Your filed tax return shows you owe less than $1,000 or. You paid at least 90% of the tax shown on the return for the taxable year or 100% of the tax shown on the return for the prior year, whichever amount is less.

IRS Form 2210 (Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts) calculates the underpayment penalty if you didn't withhold or pay enough taxes during the tax year.

We'll automatically generate a Form 2210 if your return needs it. Or you can revisit this section:

Note: You'll need your prior year tax return to answer the questions.

Sign in to your account
Search for underpayment of taxes.
Select the Jump to link in the search results.
The Underpayment Penalties screen will display the penalty amount. Select Continue to review this section and make any needed adjustments.

Re: Turbotax says I owe a penalty for underpayment of taxes. I don't see this penalty on the IRS website. How do I pay this? How do I avoid this in the future?

Mike9241 — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:07:56 GMT

you don't see it on the website it's on line 38 of your 2021 form 1040

here's a link to form 2210 instructions. start on page 2 under waiver of penalty to see if you qualify

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

to avoid the penalty for 2022 withholding and timely estimated tax payments need to be the lesser of 90% of your 2022 tax or 100% of your 2021 tax (110% if your 2021 AGI was over $150k)

estimates are due 4/18,6/15,9/15, 1/17/2023

Turbotax should have generated forms 1040ES to make these payments by mail

or you can register at the IRS website to use Direct Pay (electronic transfer - no forms sent) which allows you select to use a bank a/c (free) or debit or credit cards (there's a fee)