IRS publication guide · Last reviewed August 3, 2026

IRS Publication 505: Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax Overview

A concise map of federal withholding, estimated tax, annualized income, and underpayment planning without reproducing the publication.

Revision warning

Verify the publication’s revision year, applicable tax period, recent developments, and post-release corrections on IRS.gov. Current forms and instructions control when they differ from an older publication.

What Publication 505 generally covers

Publication 505 discusses federal withholding, estimated tax, annualized income, and underpayment planning. It is an educational reference, not a substitute for the current form instructions governing a specific filing.

Who may find it useful

People comparing withholding and estimated payments may use it to identify questions, records, and official rules that deserve closer review.

Topics to review

  • Definitions and scope for the publication’s subject
  • Records and examples used to explain general federal treatment
  • Exceptions, limitations, and cross-references to current instructions
  • Recent developments or corrections posted after release

Related forms

Form 1040-ES and Form 2210 may connect to the publication. The applicable form’s current instructions control.

Related calculators

Related guides

Official IRS source

IRS About Publication 505 page · IRS Forms, Instructions and Publications directory

No publication is hosted or copied here. Last reviewed August 3, 2026.

Tax disclaimer

General education only. Verify the current publication and form instructions; this page does not determine eligibility, filing treatment, or a tax result.