The IRS Safe Harbor Provision

A taxpayer whose tax return shows a balance due of more than $1000 will be assessed an underpayment penalty for not paying in enough tax during the year, either through federal tax withholdings or estimated tax payments. However, the IRS safe harbor provision will eliminate the underpayment penalty in certain cases.

In order to be covered under the safe harbor provision, the taxpayer must pay at least the smaller of:

● 90% of the current year’s tax, or ● 100% of the prior year’s tax (or 110% if their adjusted gross income was greater than $150,000)