1999 Tax Help Archives  

Pub. 17, Chapter 5 - Tax Withholding & Estimated Tax

Important Change for 2000

This is archived information that pertains only to the 1999 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Download: Form 1040 � 1040 Instructions PDF or HTML
Schedule A & BForm 1040AForm 1040EZTax Tables

You should consider the item here and in Publication 553, Highlights of 1999 Tax Changes, when you figure your estimated tax or how much income tax you want withheld from your pay for 2000.

Estimated tax safe harbor for higher income taxpayers.
For installment payments for tax years beginning in 2000, the estimated tax safe harbor for higher income individuals (other than farmers and fishermen) has been modified. If your 1999 adjusted gross income was more than $150,000 ($75,000 if you are married filing a separate return for 2000), you will have to deposit the smaller of 90% of your expected tax for 2000 or 106% of the tax shown on your 1999 return to avoid an estimated tax penalty (provided your 1999 return covered all 12 months).

As this publication was being prepared for print, Congress was considering legislation that would increase the percentage (from 106%) that higher income taxpayers would have to deposit for 2000 in order to avoid an estimated tax penalty. For more information about this and other important tax changes, see Publication 553, Highlights of 1999 Tax Changes.

Payment of estimated tax by credit card.
Beginning March 1, 2000, you may be able to pay your estimated tax using a pay-by-phone system to charge tax payments. For more information, see Payment by Credit Card.

Previous | Next

Publication 17 | 1999 Tax Year Archives | Tax Help Archives | Home