2060173
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Attend our Ask the Experts event about Tax Law Changes - One Big Beautiful Bill on Aug 6! >> RSVP NOW!
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Why am i being assessed an underpayment penalty of my estimated taxes. i do not have estimated taxes or file quarterly, i have w2's only?

 
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

2 Replies
rlong21289
Returning Member

Why am i being assessed an underpayment penalty of my estimated taxes. i do not have estimated taxes or file quarterly, i have w2's only?

If you have a balance due of $1,000 or more, you could be charged an Estimated Tax Penalty. You can avoid the penalty if your prepayments(withholdings/estimated payments) are equal to or more than the prior year tax assessment or they are 90% of the prior year taxes.

DawnC
Expert Alumni

Why am i being assessed an underpayment penalty of my estimated taxes. i do not have estimated taxes or file quarterly, i have w2's only?

Did you enter your withholding from box 2 of your W-2s?   If you did not have enough tax withheld during the year, you could still owe a penalty.   And are you sure you don't have any other income, such as self-employment,  reported on your tax return?  

 

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.

 

Tip: To reduce or possibly even eliminate your underpayment penalty,  search for annualizing your tax (use this exact phrase) inside TurboTax. This will take you to the underpayment penalty section and we'll take you through the steps to possibly reduce your underpayment penalty. (If you don’t see Jump to annualizing your tax in the search results, make sure you’re in your return and not on the Tax Home page.)    When you go through the penalty section, you will be able to ask for a waiver if you qualify.  

 

If you have an underpayment, all or part of the penalty for that underpayment will be waived if the IRS determines that:

  • In 2019 or 2020, you retired after reaching age 62 or became disabled, and your underpayment was due to reasonable cause (and not willful neglect); or

  • The underpayment was due to a casualty, disaster, or other unusual circumstance, and it would be inequitable to impose the penalty. 

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Unlock tailored help options in your account.

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question