2012 Form 1040-ES Estimated Tax for Individuals
You can pay your estimated tax for 2012 in four equal amounts by the dates shown below:
1st payment . . April 17, 2012
2nd payment .. June 15, 2012
3rd payment . . Sept. 17, 2012
4th payment . . Jan. 15, 2013
You must mail the estimated tax payments to the IRS at a special address designated by the IRS depending on the state you live in.
Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding (for example, earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, rents, alimony, etc.). In addition, if you do not elect voluntary withholding, you should make estimated tax payments on other taxable income, such as unemployment compensation and the taxable part of your social security benefits.
In most cases, you must pay estimated tax for 2012 if both of the following apply:
1. You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for 2012, after subtracting your withholding and refundable credits.
2. You expect your withholding and refundable credits to be less than the smaller of:
a. 90% of the tax to be shown on your 2012 tax return, or
b. 100% of the tax shown on your 2011 tax return.
