Failure by corporation to pay estimated income tax
Addition to tax
Except as otherwise provided in this section, in the case of any underpayment of estimated tax by a corporation, there shall be added to the tax under chapter 1 for the taxable year an amount determined by applying—
the underpayment rate established under section 6621,
to the amount of the underpayment,
for the period of the underpayment.
Amount of underpayment; period of underpayment
For purposes of subsection (a)—
Amount
The amount of the underpayment shall be the excess of—
the required installment, over
the amount (if any) of the installment paid on or before the due date for the installment.
Period of underpayment
The period of the underpayment shall run from the due date for the installment to whichever of the following dates is the earlier—
the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of the taxable year, or
with respect to any portion of the underpayment, the date on which such portion is paid.
Order of crediting payments
Number of required installments; due dates
For purposes of this section—
Payable in 4 installments
Time for payment of installments
In the case of the following required installments: | The due date is: |
|---|---|
1st | April 15 |
2nd | June 15 |
3rd | September 15 |
4th | December 15. |
Amount of required installments
For purposes of this section—
Amount
In general
Required annual payment
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term “required annual payment” means the lesser of—
100 percent of the tax shown on the return for the taxable year (or, if no return is filed, 100 percent of the tax for such year), or
100 percent of the tax shown on the return of the corporation for the preceding taxable year.
Clause (ii) shall not apply if the preceding taxable year was not a taxable year of 12 months, or the corporation did not file a return for such preceding taxable year showing a liability for tax.
Large corporations required to pay 100 percent of current year tax
In general
May use last year’s tax for 1st installment
Lower required installment where annualized income installment or adjusted seasonal installment is less than amount determined under subsection (d)
In general
In the case of any required installment, if the corporation establishes that the annualized income installment or the adjusted seasonal installment is less than the amount determined under subsection (d)(1) (as modified by paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (d))—
the amount of such required installment shall be the annualized income installment (or, if lesser, the adjusted seasonal installment), and
any reduction in a required installment resulting from the application of this paragraph shall be recaptured by increasing the amount of the next required installment determined under subsection (d)(1) (as so modified) by the amount of such reduction (and by increasing subsequent required installments to the extent that the reduction has not previously been recaptured under this subparagraph).
Determination of annualized income installment
In general
In the case of any required installment, the annualized income installment is the excess (if any) of—
an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the tax for the taxable year computed by placing on an annualized basis the taxable income, adjusted financial statement income (as defined in section 56A), and modified taxable income—
for the first 3 months of the taxable year, in the case of the 1st required installment,
for the first 3 months of the taxable year, in the case of the 2nd required installment,
for the first 6 months of the taxable year in the case of the 3rd required installment, and
for the first 9 months of the taxable year, in the case of the 4th required installment, over
the aggregate amount of any prior required installments for the taxable year.
Special rules
For purposes of this paragraph—
Annualization
Applicable percentage
In the case of the following required installments: | The applicable percentage is: |
|---|---|
1st | 25 |
2nd | 50 |
3rd | 75 |
4th | 100. |
Modified taxable income
Election for different annualization periods
If the taxpayer makes an election under this clause—
subclause (I) of subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “2 months” for “3 months”,
subclause (II) of subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “4 months” for “3 months”,
subclause (III) of subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “7 months” for “6 months”, and
subclause (IV) of subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “10 months” for “9 months”.
If the taxpayer makes an election under this clause—
subclause (II) of subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “5 months” for “3 months”,
subclause (III) of subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “8 months” for “6 months”, and
subclause (IV) of subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied by substituting “11 months” for “9 months”.
An election under clause (i) or (ii) shall apply to the taxable year for which made and such an election shall be effective only if made on or before the date required for the payment of the first required installment for such taxable year.
Determination of adjusted seasonal installment
In general
In the case of any required installment, the amount of the adjusted seasonal installment is the excess (if any) of—
100 percent of the amount determined under subparagraph (C), over
the aggregate amount of all prior required installments for the taxable year.
Limitation on application of paragraph
Determination of amount
The amount determined under this subparagraph for any installment shall be determined in the following manner—
take the taxable income for all months during the taxable year preceding the filing month,
divide such amount by the base period percentage for all months during the taxable year preceding the filing month,
determine the tax on the amount determined under clause (ii), and
multiply the tax computed under clause (iii) by the base period percentage for the filing month and all months during the taxable year preceding the filing month.
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this paragraph—
Base period percentage
Filing month
Reorganization, etc.
Treatment of subpart F income
In general
Prior year safe harbor
In general
If a taxpayer elects to have this subparagraph apply for any taxable year—
subparagraph (A) shall not apply, and
for purposes of computing any annualized income installment for such taxable year, the taxpayer shall be treated as having received ratably during such taxable year items of income and credit described in subparagraph (A) in an amount equal to 115 percent of the amount of such items shown on the return of the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year (the second preceding taxable year in the case of the first and second required installments for such taxable year).
Special rule for noncontrolling shareholder
In general
Noncontrolling shareholder
Treatment of certain REIT dividends
In general
Closely held REIT
Exception where tax is small amount
Definitions and special rules
Tax
For purposes of this section, the term “tax” means the excess of—
the sum of—
the tax imposed by section 11 or subchapter L of chapter 1, whichever applies,
the tax imposed by section 55,
the tax imposed by section 59A, plus
the tax imposed by section 887, over
the credits against tax provided by part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a foreign corporation subject to taxation under section 11 or 1201(a), or under subchapter L of chapter 1, the tax imposed by section 881 shall be treated as a tax imposed by section 11.
Large corporation
In general
Rules for applying subparagraph (A)
Testing period
Members of controlled group
Certain carrybacks and carryovers not taken into account
Certain tax-exempt organizations
For purposes of this section—
Any organization subject to the tax imposed by section 511, and any private foundation, shall be treated as a corporation subject to tax under section 11.
Any tax imposed by section 511, and any tax imposed by section 1 or 4940 on a private foundation, shall be treated as a tax imposed by section 11.
Any reference to taxable income shall be treated as including a reference to unrelated business taxable income or net investment income (as the case may be).
In the case of any organization described in subparagraph (A), subsection (b)(2)(A) shall be applied by substituting “5th month” for “4th month”, subsection (e)(2)(A) shall be applied by substituting “2 months” for “3 months” in clause (i)(I), the election under clause (i) of subsection (e)(2)(C) may be made separately for each installment, and clause (ii) of subsection (e)(2)(C) shall not apply. In the case of a private foundation, subsection (c)(2) shall be applied by substituting “May 15” for “April 15”.
Application of section to certain taxes imposed on S corporations
In the case of an S corporation, for purposes of this section—
The following taxes shall be treated as imposed by section 11:
The tax imposed by section 1374(a).
The tax imposed by section 1375(a).
Any tax for which the S corporation is liable by reason of section 1371(d)(2).
Paragraph (2) of subsection (d) shall not apply.
Clause (ii) of subsection (d)(1)(B) shall be applied as if it read as follows:
the sum of—
the amount determined under clause (i) by only taking into account the taxes referred to in clauses (i) and (iii) of subsection (g)(4)(A), and
100 percent of the tax imposed by section 1375(a) which was shown on the return of the corporation for the preceding taxable year.”
The requirement in the last sentence of subsection (d)(1)(B) that the return for the preceding taxable year show a liability for tax shall not apply.
Subsection (b)(2)(A) shall be applied by substituting “3rd month” for “4th month”.
Any reference in subsection (e) to taxable income shall be treated as including a reference to the net recognized built-in gain or the excess passive income (as the case may be).
Excessive adjustment under section 6425
Addition to tax
Excessive amount
For purposes of paragraph (1), the excessive amount is equal to the amount of the adjustment or (if smaller) the amount by which—
the income tax liability (as defined in section 6425(c)) for the taxable year as shown on the return for the taxable year, exceeds
the estimated income tax paid during the taxable year, reduced by the amount of the adjustment.
Fiscal years and short years
Fiscal years
Short taxable year
Regulations
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 825; Pub. L. 88–272, title I, § 122(c),Notes
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2022 Amendment
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Effective Date of 1992 Amendments
Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendments
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Repeal of Certain Shifts in the Timing of Corporate Estimated Tax Payments
Section 202(b) of the Corporate Estimated Tax Shift Act of 2009 [Pub. L. 111–42, set out below].
Section 561 of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act [Pub. L. 111–147, set out below].
Section 505 of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act [Pub. L. 112–41, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note].
Section 603 of the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act [Pub. L. 112–42, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note].
Section 502 of the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act [Pub. L. 112–43, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note].”
Savings Provision
Payment of Corporate Estimated Taxes
in the case of a corporation with assets of not less than $1,000,000,000 (determined as of the end of the preceding taxable year), the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2017 shall be 100.25 percent of such amount; and
the amount of the next required installment after an installment referred to in paragraph (1) shall be appropriately reduced to reflect the amount of the increase by reason of such paragraph.”
in the case of a corporation with assets of not less than $1,000,000,000 (determined as of the end of the preceding taxable year)—
the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2006 shall be 105 percent of such amount,
the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2012 shall be 100 percent of such amount,
the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2013 shall be 100.75 percent of such amount, and
the amount of the next required installment after an installment referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) shall be appropriately reduced to reflect the amount of the increase by reason of such subparagraph,
20.5 percent of the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in September 2010 shall not be due until
27.5 percent of the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in September 2011 shall not be due until
Time for Payment of September 2001 and September 2004 Corporate Estimated Taxes
100 percent of the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in September 2001 shall not be due until
20 percent of the amount of any required installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due in September 2004 shall not be due until
Waiver of Estimated Tax Penalties for 1998 Underpayments
Underpayments of Estimated Tax for 1996
Waiver of Estimated Penalties for 1993 Underpayments Attributable to Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993
Waiver of Estimated Tax Penalties for Underpayments Attributable to Section 420(b)(4)(B) of This Title
Waiver of Estimated Penalties for 1990 Underpayments Attributable to Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990
Applicability of Certain Amendments by Pub. L. 99–514 in Relation to Treaty Obligations of United States
Waiver of Estimated Penalties for 1988 Underpayments Attributable to Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988
Corporations Also May Use 1986 Tax To Determine Amount of Certain Estimated Tax Installments Due On or Before June 15, 1987
In general.—
In the case of a large corporation, no addition to tax shall be imposed by section 6655 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to any underpayment of an estimated tax installment to which this subsection applies if no addition would be imposed with respect to such underpayment by reason of section 6655(d)(1) of such Code if such corporation were not a large corporation. The preceding sentence shall apply only to the extent the underpayment is paid on or before the last date prescribed for payment of the most recent installment of estimated tax due on or before
Installment to which subsection applies.—
This subsection applies to any installment of estimated tax for a taxable year beginning after
Large corporation.—
For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘large corporation’ has the meaning given such term by section 6655(i)(2) of such Code (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [
Waiver of Estimated Penalties for 1986 Underpayments Attributable to Tax Reform Act of 1986
Waiver of Estimated Tax Penalties
Underpayments of Estimated Tax for 1984
Waiver of Penalty for Underpayment of Estimated Tax
“If—
a corporation made underpayments of estimated tax for a taxable year of the corporation which includes
the corporation does not elect to have the provisions of such subparagraph apply for such taxable year because this Act does not contain the amendments made by section 804(a)(2) (relating to flowthrough of investment credit), or the provisions of subsection (f) of such section (relating to grace period for certain plan transfers), of the bill H.R. 10612 (94th Congress, 2d Session), as amended by the Senate,
then the provisions of section 6655 of such Code (relating to failure by corporation to pay estimated income tax) shall not apply to so much of any such underpayment as the corporation can establish, to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury, is properly attributable to the inapplicability of such subparagraph (B) for such taxable year.”