Calculating 2026 Estimated Taxes with Social Security Retirement Benefits as Major Income Source

Paulse3 — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:37:29 GMT

I've read in various places that I need to pay estimated taxes if I expect to owe more than $1,000 in federal taxes for 2026.

TurboTax estimated my 2026 taxes would be $3,516. When I clicked continue TurboTax said it would not prepare estimated tax payment vouchers because I have no estimated tax liability. Can someone explain this to me?

Re: Calculating 2026 Estimated Taxes with Social Security Retirement Benefits as Major Income Source

AmyC — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:54:39 GMT

There are reasons the IRS will not charge a penalty (paid 100% of prior year tax bill or new retiree) and the program thinks that if you won't have a penalty, you don't really want to pay.

If you prefer to keep the balance below $1,000 so you don't accidentally get into extra penalties for willfully failing to pay when owing $5,000 or more.

You have 2 options:

You can ask Social Security to withhold more in taxes, Online use Request to withhold taxes | SSA
You can make estimated payments. The IRS has announced they prefer payment through their online portal. Mailing in checks and paperwork takes much more manpower. You can make Payments.

topic Calculating 2026 Estimated Taxes with Social Security Retirement Benefits as Major Income Source in Retirement tax questions

Calculating 2026 Estimated Taxes with Social Security Retirement Benefits as Major Income Source

Re: Calculating 2026 Estimated Taxes with Social Security Retirement Benefits as Major Income Source