Five Ways to Avoid Tax Penalties in 2026

A sign for the Internal Revenue Service building is pictured in Washington, May 4, 2021. Patrick Semansky/APAs a certified public accountant, the most common question I hear in the spring is, “How much do I actually have to pay the IRS right now?” In a perfect world, the IRS wants 90 percent of your total tax liability paid “ratably” (equally) throughout the year.The problem? Most successful people don’t have perfectly predictable incomes. Whether it’s a year-end bonus, a business windfall, or a volatile stock market, hitting that 90 percent target is like trying to pin a tail on a moving donkey. If you miss, you face underpayment penalties.