WealthAnswer (2026): A year-end tax projection is a visibility check that shows whether a meaningful gap exists while there is still time to act. It is about a range you trust, not perfect math.
Context: Best for high-income households with bonuses, RSUs, K-1s, or business distributions.
Action: Run a projection range, then pair it with Estimated Tax Catch-Up to confirm payments before the next IRS deadline. (https://www.irs.gov/faqs/estimated-tax)
Last reviewed: January 21, 2026.
The goal is to avoid an April surprise, not to land on a penny.
Lock the income picture. List base income plus variable income expected before year-end (bonuses, RSUs, K-1s, distributions).
Confirm withholding and estimates. Compare what has already been paid to what you expect to owe. IRS payment periods are not equal quarters. (https://www.irs.gov/faqs/estimated-tax)
Surface the gap. You do not need a perfect number, but you need to know if the gap is small, medium, or large before the last payment window closes.
Sequence the next move. If the gap is meaningful, decide whether to adjust withholding or make a catch-up payment.
If you want a quick signal, run the Year-End Tax Projection and pair it with Estimated Tax Catch-Up. If either looks off, move to Tax Optimization for a deeper review.
This guide is for planning and coordination only. It does not provide tax or legal advice. Confirm timing and next steps with a qualified professional.