How do I know if I have to file quarterly individual estimated tax payments?

You must make estimated tax payments for the current tax year if both of the following apply:

1. You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the current tax year, after subtracting your withholding and credits.
2. You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of 90 percent of the tax to be shown on your current year's tax return or 100 percent of the tax shown on your prior year's tax return. (Your prior-year tax return must cover all 12 months.) There are special rules for:
   • Certain small-business taxpayers
   • Certain taxpayers with higher adjusted gross income Farmers and commercial fishermen 
   • Aliens
   • Estates and trusts

 See IRS Pub 505 for more details.