05/12/2026
Got hit with an IRS underpayment penalty last April? You're not alone, and there's a fix.
It's called a safe harbor tax payment. Pay enough during the year and the IRS won't penalize you, even if you owe a big check in April.
Here's the short version for high income earners:
✓ Pay 90% of this year's tax, OR
✓ Pay 110% of last year's tax (if your AGI was over $150K)
✓ Hit the quarterly deadlines: April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15
That's it. No magic, just math.
The catch? Bonuses, RSUs, rental income, and K-1 distributions can throw your withholding way off. A great earning year can turn into a painful tax bill plus penalties if nobody's watching the numbers.
We just published a beginner-friendly guide breaking down exactly what counts as a safe harbor tax payment, the two paths to penalty protection, and practical strategies high earners can use right now.
Read the full post here
Need help building a tax plan that keeps you penalty-free year-round?
Send us a message. We work with high income earners and business owners across the country.