So, I somehow through word of mouth, landed a new client this year...and a very wealthy one at that.  the client's 2022 tax liability was $3.2mm, and they made, at the behest of their previous CPA, a $3.4mm 1040ES on December 27, 2023 ("before the end of year", seemed to be some kind of key words).

The previous CPA told the CEO/COO of their company (also a CPA, but who now does not practice in our wonderful arena), that the above scenario would result in no estimated tax penalties.  Well, I didn't just hang my shingle a few months ago, but I'll be danged if I have ever thought this was a 'viable solution'. ProSeries seems to agree with me, and calculated a substantial estimated tax penalty, even though they ended up being about $400k overpaid at the end of the return.

So, I guess I am asking my learned colleagues on here, if y'all give any legitimacy to the thought process of the previous CPA?