Underpayment penalties: How to avoid them and how to calculate them.
If you have a sufficiently large balance due when you file your return, your balance due may also include a penalty for not having enough taxes withheld or making estimated payments. "Oversimplifying" Underpayment Penalties turned out to be a daunting task. This simple concept is surprisingly complex in execution, and most people let either the IRS or their software or preparer calculate them penalty for them. This video tells you when your balance due may be subject to a penalty, and then details the 12+ individual calculations that go into figuring out even the simplest of penalties. To learn more about making estimated payments, click here: • Making Estimated Payments (or not!) A couple of videos to help you understand your paycheck better: "Your Paystub EXPLAINED!": • Your paystub EXPLAINED! "How to Fill out a W4 (Revised and updated!): • How to fill out a W4 (Revised and Updated!) If you're curious about other parts of the Tax Code that are more complicated than they need to be, click here: 0:00 Introduction 1:05 Who is liable for underpayment penalties 1:45 How to calculate an underpayment penalty 6:20 Optional calculations 6:39 Conclusion Resources and Additional Information: IRS Form 2210: "Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Trusts, and Estates": https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2210... Although this form is rarely filed with a tax return, you can use it to see if you are liable for the penalty. Instructions for Form 2210: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2210... This publication contains the worksheet that is actually used to calculate the penalty, plus many other details regarding the penalty that I could not hope to cover in this video. Investopedia: "Tax Underpayment Penalty: What It Is, Examples, and How to Avoid." https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/... Nerdwallet: "Underpayment Penalty: What It Is, How to Avoid It" https://www.merdwallet.com/article/ta... The Tax Geek on the Site Formerly Known as Twitter: @taxgeekusa The Tax Geek on Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/askataxgeek Image and footage credits: Storyblocks.com Wikimedia Commons No artificial intelligence was used to research, write, animate, voice, or edit this video Intro Music: "Bluesy Vibes" - Doug Maxwell - YouTube Creator Music Outro Music: "Modern Attempt" - Track Tribe under license from YouTube Creator Music DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to render tax advice or financial advice for individual situations. If you have questions regarding your particular situation, please consult with a qualified tax or financial professional.

A beginner's guide to Simplified Employee Pension Plans (or SEPs)

How to Avoid an Underpayment Tax Penalty

How to Pay Estimated Taxes (Without Overpaying or Penalties)

IRS Form 2210 Schedule AI walkthrough - How Schedule AI can reduce/eliminate underpayment penalties

Convert 1 Million IRA To A Roth IRA And Pay Little To No Taxes

IRS Releases 2026 Tax Brackets + Capital Gains Update — Here’s What You Need to Know

3 IRS Rules Retirees Can Use to Avoid Tax Penalties

How To Pay Your Estimated Taxes BEFORE It’s Too Late (Avoid HUGE Penalties!)

How To Get Your IRS Tax Penalties WAIVED in 3 Easy Steps

The Retirement Tax Trap That Can Trigger IRS Penalties

How to calculate estimated taxes - 1040-ES Explained! {Calculator Available}

How To Write Off Everyday Expenses, LEGALLY In 2026

POA-TIA (Form 2848-8821) How to properly prepare IRS Power of Attorney to represent taxpayers

How to Avoid Tax Underpayment Penalties When Performing a Roth Conversion!

Am I required to make quarterly estimated tax payments??

How to Pay Estimated Taxes Without Penalties (2026 Safe Harbor Rules for Freelancers)

IRS Notice CP53E (2026 Update) – Why Your Refund Is STILL Delayed

Enrolled Agent Exam Prep Course, Part 1, Video 1/7, 2026

How much Penalties and Interest Does IRS Charge?

