How can I estimate the amount I owe?
If your income is about the same each year and your circumstances haven't changed very much since last year (you didn't get married/divorced, have a baby, etc.), a good way to estimate the amount you owe is to look at your 2024 tax return. 2024 Form 1040, Line 37 is the amount you owed last year.
If your circumstances and income have changed substantially, we recommend you enter your tax information using FreeTaxUSA to estimate your tax owed. Put in estimated income amounts on your return, so you can get your estimated tax owed for the extension, and then correct these estimates when you file your actual return. Menu Path: My 2025 Return to estimate your amount owed.
If you're not sure how much you owe, you'll need to make your best estimate. We recommend overestimating your amount owed in order to avoid IRS penalties and interest. If you make a payment with your extension, we'll remind you to enter that extension payment when you fill out your regular tax return. That way if you end up overpaying the IRS, you can get a refund when you file your regular tax return.
If your circumstances and income have changed substantially, we recommend you enter your tax information using FreeTaxUSA to estimate your tax owed. Put in estimated income amounts on your return, so you can get your estimated tax owed for the extension, and then correct these estimates when you file your actual return. Menu Path: My 2025 Return to estimate your amount owed.
If you're not sure how much you owe, you'll need to make your best estimate. We recommend overestimating your amount owed in order to avoid IRS penalties and interest. If you make a payment with your extension, we'll remind you to enter that extension payment when you fill out your regular tax return. That way if you end up overpaying the IRS, you can get a refund when you file your regular tax return.
