If you paid at least 90% of the tax on your current-year return or 100% of the tax shown on the prior year's return, you can avoid the underpayment penalty for estimated taxes. Another way to avoid an underpayment penalty in the future is to adjust your withholdings on your W-4, if you have an employer.

Examples of valid reasons for failing to file or pay on time may include: Fires, natural disasters or civil disturbances. Inability to get records. Death, serious illness or unavoidable absence of the taxpayer or immediate family.

Use Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts to see if you owe a penalty for underpaying your estimated tax.

This penalty only applies to those who owe $1,000 or more in unpaid taxes. If you're subject to this charge, you'll receive an IRS notice in the mail. Note that there are special rules for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income for the previous year was more than $150,000 (or $75,000 if married filing separately).

While the penalty for underpayment of estimated tax generally cannot be waived due to reasonable cause, the penalty may be removed or reduced if the underpayment is the result of a casualty, local disaster, or other unusual circumstance when it would not be fair to impose the penalty.

To request a waiver when you file, complete IRS Form 2210 and submit it with your tax return. With the form, attach an explanation for why you didn't pay estimated taxes in the specific time period that you're requesting a waiver for. Also attach documentation that supports your statement.

This means that you need to pay most of your tax during the year, as you receive income, rather than paying at the end of the year. The Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals Penalty applies to individuals, estates and trust that don't pay enough estimated tax on their income or you pay it late.