Taxpayers usually will have taxes withheld from their pay if they are an employee. However, if a person doesn’t have taxes withheld, or they don’t have enough tax withheld, they may need to make estimated tax payments. Taxpayers that are self-employed normally have to pay their taxes this way.

Taxpayers should pay estimated taxes if they expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for 2017 after subtracting their withholding and refundable credits. Special rules apply to farmers and fishermen.

When to make payments

Taxpayers normally make estimated tax payments four times a year. The dates that apply to most people for 2017 are April 18, June 15 and Sept. 15. There is one last payment on Jan. 16, 2018. The under withholding penalty is intended to deter people from holding the money and investing it all year and waiting until next April to pay.