When To Pay 
Estimated Tax(p22)

For estimated tax purposes, the year is divided into four payment periods. Each period has a specific payment due date. If you do not pay enough tax by the due date of each of the payment periods, you may be charged a penalty even if you are due a refund when you file your income tax return.

If a payment is mailed, the date of the U.S. postmark is considered the date of payment. The payment periods and due dates for estimated tax payments are shown next. For exceptions to the dates listed, see Saturday, Sunday, holiday rule below.

For the period:		Due date:
Jan. 11 – March 31		April 15
April 1 – May 31		June 15
June 1 – August 31		September 15
Sept. 1 – Dec. 31		January 15 next year2

1 If your tax year does not begin on January 1, see Fiscal year taxpayers on this page.

2 See January payment below.

If the due date for an estimated tax payment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the payment will be on time if you make it on the next day that is not Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday.

In 2011, April 15 is Friday and a holiday in the District of Columbia; therefore the payment is due Monday, April 18. In 2012, January 15 is a Sunday and Monday is a holiday. The January 15 payment is due by January 17, 2012.

If you file your 2011 Form 1040 or Form 1040A by January 31, 2012, and pay the rest of the tax you owe, you do not need to make the payment due on January 17, 2012.

Janet Adams does not pay any estimated tax for 2011. She files her 2011 income tax return and pays the balance due shown on her return on January 26, 2012.

Janet's estimated tax for the fourth payment period is considered to have been paid on time. However, she may owe a penalty for not making the first three estimated tax payments, if required. Any penalty for not making those payments will be figured up to January 26, 2012.

If your tax year does not start on January 1, your payment due dates are:

1. The 15th day of the 4th month of your fiscal year,
2. The 15th day of the 6th month of your fiscal year,
3. The 15th day of the 9th month of your fiscal year, and
4. The 15th day of the 1st month after the end of your fiscal year.

You do not have to make the last payment listed above if you file your income tax return by the last day of the first month after the end of your fiscal year and pay all the tax you owe with your return.

You do not have to make estimated tax payments until you have income on which you will owe income tax. If you have income subject to estimated tax during the first payment period, you must make your first payment by the due date for the first payment period. You can pay all your estimated tax at that time, or you can pay it in installments. If you choose to pay in installments, make your first payment by the due date for the first payment period. Make your remaining installment payments by the due dates for the later periods.

If you do not have income subject to estimated tax until a later payment period, you must make your first payment by the due date for that period. You can pay your entire estimated tax by the due date for that period or you can pay it in installments by the due date for that period and the due dates for the remaining periods. Table 2-1 shows the dates for making installment payments.

If you first have income on which you must pay estimated tax:	Make a payment by:*	Make later installments by:*
Before April 1	April 15	June 15
		Sept. 15
		Jan. 15 next year
April 1–May 31	June 15	Sept. 15
		Jan. 15 next year
June 1–Aug. 31	Sept. 15	Jan. 15 next year
After Aug. 31	Jan. 15 next year	(None)

*See January payment and Saturday, Sunday, holiday rule on this page.

To determine how much you should pay by each payment due date, see How To Figure Each Payment below.

If at least two-thirds of your gross income for 2010 or 2011 is from farming or fishing, you have only one payment due date for your 2011 estimated tax, January 17, 2012. The due dates for the first three payment periods, discussed under When To Pay Estimated Tax on this page, do not apply to you.

If you file your 2011 Form 1040 by March 1, 2012, and pay all the tax you owe at that time, you do not need to make an estimated tax payment.

If you are a farmer or fisherman, but your tax year does not start on January 1, you can either:

• Pay all your estimated tax by the 15th day after the end of your tax year, or
• File your return and pay all the tax you owe by the 1st day of the 3rd month after the end of your tax year.