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Taxpayers should stay on top of taxes all year to avoid a surprise tax bill

Posted by Admin Posted on Oct 20 2022

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The next tax season seems far away, but this is actually the perfect time for taxpayers to review their withholding and estimated tax payments. Because federal taxes are pay-as-you-go, it’s important for taxpayers to withhold enough from their paychecks or pay enough in estimated tax. If they don’t, they risk being charged a penalty.

Adjust tax withholding

For employees, withholding is the amount of federal income tax withheld from their paycheck. The amount of income tax an employer withholds from an employee’s regular pay depends on two things:

  • The amount they earn.
  • The information they give their employer on Form W–4.

All taxpayers should review their federal withholding each year to make sure they're not having too little or too much tax withheld.

Individuals can use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to help decide if they should make a change to their withholding. This online tool guides users, step-by-step, through the process of checking their withholding, and provides withholding recommendations to help aim for their desired refund amount when they file next year.

Taxpayers can check with their employer to update their withholding or submit a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate.

Make estimated payments

Taxpayers may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments in a few situations:

  • If the amount of income tax withheld from a taxpayer's salary or pension isn’t enough.
  • If they receive income such as interest, dividends, alimony, self-employment income, capital gains, prizes and awards.
  • If they are self-employed.

Estimated tax payments are due from individual taxpayers on April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 17. The fastest and easiest way to make estimated tax payments is using Direct Pay or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Taxpayers can visit IRS.gov for other payment options.

If you have any questions regarding accounting, domestic taxation, essential business accounting, international taxation, IRS representation, U.S. tax implications of Real Estate transactions or financial statements, please give us a call at 305-274-5811.

Source: IRS

The information provided on the LBCPA Blog is a community service for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors who specialize in the topics covered. Please refer to your advisors for specific advice on these subjects. The information is not intended to be used, and it cannot be used, for the purposes of avoiding U.S. Federal and/or State tax laws or the tax laws of any foreign jurisdiction.

These blogs contain general information only and Lord Breakspeare Callaghan LLC or any of the other companies or firms presenting information are not providing accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. Lord Breakspeare Callaghan LLC or any of the other companies or firms contributing with articles shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this information.