500ES: Forms and Instructions for Declaration of Estimated Income Tax (2025)
Virginia · Virginia Tax · Used for tax years 2025
Virginia Form 500ES provides instructions, a worksheet, and payment vouchers for corporation estimated income tax for 2025. The vouchers report estimated tax for the year and the amount of each payment. Paper vouchers may be used only with an approved waiver from the electronic p
Who files this form
A corporation subject to Virginia income tax must make a declaration of estimated income tax if its expected state income tax, after allowable credits, exceeds $1,000 for the taxable year.
An affiliated group filing a consolidated or combined return must make its estimated tax declaration on the same basis. The group’s return is treated as the return of a single taxpayer.
For a taxable year shorter than 12 months, no declaration is required if:
- The period is less than 4 months; or
- The filing requirements are first met after the first day of the last month of the short taxable year.
When it's due
For tax year 2025, the declaration and installment schedule depends on when the corporation first meets the filing requirements.
| Requirements first met | Declaration due | Installments |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Before the first day of the 4th month | 15th day of the 4th month | 25% each by the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months |
| After the last day of the 3rd month and before the first day of the 6th month | 15th day of the 6th month | 33 1/3% each by the 15th day of the 6th, 9th, and 12th months |
| After the last day of the 5th month and before the first day of the 9th month | 15th day of the 9th month | 50% each by the 15th day of the 9th and 12th months |
| After the last day of the 8th month and before the first day of the 12th month | 15th day of the 12th month | 100% by the 15th day of the 12th month |
The 2025 worksheet prints these dates for calendar-year taxpayers: April 15, 2025; June 15, 2025; September 15, 2025; and December 15, 2025. Fiscal-year taxpayers use the taxable-month schedule above.
What you'll need
To complete the estimated tax worksheet, have these amounts available:
- Expected Virginia net income for 2025 and allowable tax credits.
- Any 2024 overpayment to be credited to 2025 tax.
- Payments already made and credits already applied, if you are changing your estimate.
If you have an approved waiver and use paper vouchers, you will need:
- The corporation’s Virginia account number, federal employer identification number (FEIN), name, and address.
- The ending month and year of the entire taxable year.
- A completed voucher and a check or money order payable to Virginia Department of Taxation.
Keep the Estimated Tax Worksheet and Estimated Tax Payment Record for your files.
If the corporation has an underpayment and believes an addition to tax should not apply, enclose Form 500C and supporting schedules documenting the applicable exception with the corporation’s income tax return.
How to file
Electronic payment is required unless you have an approved waiver. Use one of these options:
- eForms or Business Online Services: Payments are made by Debit EFT, and you may schedule a future payment date.
- ACH credit through your bank: Some banks may charge a fee. The Department’s Electronic Payment Guide is available at www.tax.virginia.gov.
If you cannot file and pay electronically, obtain a waiver request form at www.tax.virginia.gov or call (804) 367-8037.
To use paper vouchers with an approved waiver:
- Complete the worksheet. Estimated annual tax is 6% of expected Virginia net income, less allowable credits.
- Enter the worksheet’s annual estimated tax on voucher Line 1 and the payment amount on voucher Line 2.
- Enter the corporation’s identifying information and the ending month and year of the entire taxable year.
- Use vouchers in numerical order. Sign the first voucher; sign later vouchers only if amending the estimate.
- Make the check or money order payable to Virginia Department of Taxation and print the Virginia account number on it.
- Mail the detached voucher and payment to:
Virginia Department of Taxation
P.O. Box 1500
Richmond, VA 23218-1500
Common mistakes
- Using paper vouchers without an approved waiver. Estimated tax payments must be electronic unless a waiver has been approved.
- Entering the quarter’s ending date. The voucher requires the ending month and year of the entire taxable year, not the quarter.
- Leaving the Virginia account number off the check or money order. The form specifically reminds you to print it on the payment.
- Sending payments to the help address. Do not send returns or payments to P.O. Box 1115. Voucher payments go to P.O. Box 1500, Richmond, VA 23218-1500.
- Underpaying estimated tax. An underpayment results in an addition to tax from the installment’s due date until payment or the return’s filing due date, whichever comes first.
Questions people ask
Do I need to make a declaration if estimated tax is $1,000 or less?
No. The worksheet says no declaration is required if estimated annual tax, after allowable credits, is $1,000 or less.
Can I apply a 2024 overpayment to my 2025 installments?
Yes. Enter the overpayment on worksheet Line 4. If it exceeds the first installment, enter 0 on Line 2 of the first voucher. An amount not deducted from the first installment can be applied to the next installment. You may also divide the overpayment by the number of installments due and deduct that amount from each installment.
How do I change my estimate after filing?
Complete the Amended Computation Schedule. Subtract payments and credits already applied from the amended estimated tax, then divide the unpaid balance by the number of remaining installments. If using vouchers under an approved waiver, enter the revised tax and payment on the next voucher due, sign it, and mail it with payment by the required due date.
Do I have to annualize income for a short taxable year?
The form directs you to multiply short-period income by 12 and divide by the number of months in the period. You do not have to annualize if the short taxable year does not change your accounting period.
Where can I get help?
Visit www.tax.virginia.gov or call (804) 367-8037. You may also write to P.O. Box 1115, Richmond, VA 23218-1115, but do not send returns or payments to that address.