Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2026 IRS tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties.
Last updated: April 2026
What are Estimated Tax Payments?
In the US, taxes are "pay-as-you-go." If you are a freelancer, contractor, or business owner (1099 income), the IRS requires you to pay taxes on your income four times a year.
These payments cover both your personal Income Tax and your Self-Employment Tax(which covers Social Security and Medicare since no employer is withholding them for you).
How to use this calculator
- 1Estimate Annual Profit — Total revenue minus all deductible business expenses.
- 2Input Prior Year Tax — Check your last tax return (Form 1040, Line 24) to calculate 'Safe Harbor' amounts.
- 3Check Result — The calculator suggests the minimum quarterly payment to avoid IRS penalties.
- 4Mark Calendars — Payments are due April 15, June 15, Sept 15, and Jan 15 of the following year.
Formula & example
Quarterly Payment = Min(90% current year tax, 110% prior year tax) / 4
If your net profit is $100,000, your total tax liability (SE + Income) might be ~$25,000. If you paid $15,000 last year, your Safe Harbor requirement is ~$16,500. Your suggested quarterly payment would be $16,500 / 4 = $4,125.
Benefits
Avoid Penalties
IRS underpayment penalties can be 8% or higher annually.
Cash Flow Management
Budget for taxes throughout the year instead of a giant shock in April.
Safe Harbor Compliance
Ensure you are paying just the right amount to satisfy the IRS rules.
Use cases
Full-time Freelancers
Calculate your mandatory quarterly vouchers.
Side Hustle Income
See how much extra you need to withhold from your W-2 job to cover side gig taxes.
Frequently asked questions
What if I miss a payment?+
The IRS calculates penalties daily. It is better to pay late than not at all. You can use Form 2210 to calculate the exact penalty.
How do I actually pay?+
You can pay online via IRS Direct Pay or through the EFTPS system. No paper forms are required if paying electronically.