I'm self employed & have filed each year during tax season. My business picked up this year. Is there a way to pay taxes thru the year to avoid penalties

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

For SE self employment tax - if you have a net profit (after expenses) of $400 or more you will pay 15.3% SE Tax on 92.35% of your net profit in addition to your regular income tax on it. So if you have other income like W2 income your extra business income might put you into a higher tax bracket.

You must make quarterly estimated tax payments for the current tax year if both of the following apply:
- 1. You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the current tax year, after subtracting your withholding and credits.
 
- 2. You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of:
    90% of the tax to be shown on your current year’s tax return, or
  100% of the tax shown on your prior year’s tax return. (Your prior year tax return must cover all 12 months).

Here are the blank Estimates and instructions…..
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf

The 1040ES quarterly estimates are due April 18, 2017, June 15, Sept 15 and Jan 16, 2018.  Your state will also have their own estimate forms.

Or you can pay directly on the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/payments
Be sure to pick the right kind of payment and year.....2017 Estimate

[Carl]

If you pay on line (as I do every quarter) make absolutely you print out the receipt and keep it with your business records. Otherwise, if the IRS says you didn't pay and you can't produce proof in writing, then guess what? You didn't pay.

[amiolyer]

Thank you

[DoninGA]

You can pay estimated tax payments (Form 1040-ES) using the IRS website (Direct Pay) - https://www.irs.gov/payments

[SweetieJean]

Remember State taxes as well.