Tax Year Prior to 2020: Maryland Estimated tax payment

[eric213]

After completing a married filing jointly 2019 tax return, we received Personal Tax payment vouchers for $293.00 each, once per quarter for an estimated 2020 tax year for the state of Maryland.  We both have jobs in the state and have state  taxes withheld, we also received a refund from both federal and state for 2019.  Can anyone help to as why we are getting these estimated payment vouchers for the following tax year when we got a refund for the previous year?

[DawnC]

Underpayment penalties are assessed if you don't withhold or pay enough tax on income received during each quarter.  In fact, it's entirely possible to get hit with an underpayment penalty even though you paid your tax bill in full by the April deadline or are getting a refund.

We'll automatically include four quarterly 1040-ES vouchers with your printout if you didn't withhold or pay enough tax this year. We do this to head off a possible underpayment penalty on next year's taxes.  You may get these vouchers if you're self-employed or had an uncharacteristic spike in your income this year. For example, you sold stock or took a large distribution from your retirement plan.

You're not required to make estimated tax payments; we're just suggesting it based on the info in your return. If you feel they're not needed for next year's taxes, you can shred them.

[7759as]

Can I use 2 out of the 4 estimated Md. quarterly payments if that is all I think are needed?

[VictorW9]

Yes, you can use just about as few as you need to. Ensure that you keep your records so you can take credit for estimated payments when preparing your taxes.