Page 4: Estimated Tax Payments

Skip this page if you made no tax payments of your own toward 2026 and no part of your 2025 refund was carried forward. Tick the box at the top and move on.

You need this page if you sent the IRS or a state a quarterly payment, paid something with an extension request, or applied last year’s refund to this year.

What this page does. It records every payment you already made toward your 2026 tax, to the IRS and to up to two states. These are credits against what you owe. If a payment is missed here, your return will show a balance due that you have in fact already paid.

Before You Begin

To complete this page accurately, please have the following available:

  • Your 2025 federal and state tax returns
  • Records of any refunds applied to 2026 estimated taxes
  • Bank statements or payment confirmations for estimated tax payments
  • Credit card payment confirmations, if applicable
  • Any extension payment confirmations
  • Access to your IRS Online Account, if available, to verify federal payment dates and amounts

Having these records available will make the process quick and help avoid common errors.

Completing the Federal Estimated Tax Section

Refund Applied to 2026 Estimated Tax

If you chose to apply part of your 2025 federal refund toward your 2026 taxes, enter that amount in the first box provided.

If your entire refund was sent directly to you, simply leave this field blank.

No Federal Estimated Payments?

If you did not make any federal estimated tax payments during 2026, check the appropriate box and continue to the State section.

Quarterly Estimated Payments

If you made estimated tax payments during the year, enter:

  • The date the payment was made
  • The amount paid

Please use the date the funds actually left your bank account, not the tax due date.

Typical quarterly due dates for 2026 are:

  • April 15, 2026
  • June 15, 2026
  • September 15, 2026
  • January 15, 2027 (4th Quarter)

Additional Payments

If you made any extra federal tax payments outside of the regular quarterly schedule, enter them in the Additional Payment section.

Examples include:

  • Extra voluntary payments
  • Catch-up payments
  • Payments made after reviewing your tax situation mid-year

Extension Payment

If you filed a federal extension and submitted a payment with that extension, enter the amount paid in the Extension Payment section.

Federal Total

The organizer will automatically calculate the total federal payments entered.

Completing State Estimated Tax Payments

State 1

Select the state from the drop-down menu.

Then enter:

  • Any balance paid with your 2025 state return
  • Any 2025 state refund applied toward 2026 taxes
  • Quarterly estimated payments
  • Additional payments
  • Extension payments

Use the same approach described in the federal section.

State 2

If you made estimated tax payments to a second state, complete the State 2 section as well.

If not, you may leave this section blank.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple mistakes can result in incorrect balances due, penalties, or delays. Please review the following carefully.

Refund Applied Forward vs. Estimated Payment

A refund applied from a prior year’s return is not the same as a payment you personally made during the year.

Enter it only in the Refund Applied Forward field.

Do not enter it again as a quarterly estimated payment.

Don’t Forget the Fourth Quarter Payment

This is one of the most commonly missed entries.

Although it applies to the 2026 tax year, the fourth-quarter payment is typically made in January 2027.

Be sure to check your January bank records and payment confirmations.

Enter Payments on the Correct Dates

Many states calculate interest and penalties based on when payments were made.

Using the wrong date can generate penalties that may not actually apply.

Whenever possible, use the exact payment date shown on your bank statement or payment confirmation.

Do Not Enter Tax Withholding

This page is only for payments you personally made.

Do not include:

  • Federal withholding from Form W-2
  • State withholding from Form W-2
  • Pension withholding
  • Social Security withholding

Those amounts will be reported elsewhere in the organizer.

More Than Two States?

The organizer provides space for two states.

If you made estimated tax payments to a third state (or more), simply provide the details in the comments section, including:

  • State name
  • Payment dates
  • Payment amounts

We will make sure those payments are properly reported.

When You’re Finished

Take a moment to compare the amounts entered on Page 4 with your records to ensure every payment has been included.

A complete and accurate list of estimated tax payments helps us minimize notices, avoid unnecessary penalties, and ensure you receive credit for every dollar you’ve already paid.

If you’re unsure whether a payment belongs on this page, don’t worry. Make a note in the comments section, and we’ll be happy to review it with you.