Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate your 1040-ES quarterly payments in seconds. For self-employed, freelancers, and gig workers — federal and state, with safe harbor option.
1040-ES Estimated Tax
Federal + state · Results update instantly
Income
Settings
Per quarter
$2,494.91
$9,980 total annual · 4 equal payments
Effective rate
22%
SE Tax
$6,358
15.3% self-empl.
Federal
$2,839
Income tax
State
$783
California
Payment schedule
$2,494.91
April 15, 2026
$2,494.91
June 15, 2026
$2,494.91
September 15, 2026
$2,494.91
January 15, 2027
2026 Quarterly Estimated Tax Due Dates
| Quarter | Income Period | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan–Mar | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 | Apr–May | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 | Jun–Aug | Sept 15, 2026 |
| Q4 | Sep–Dec | Jan 15, 2027 |
If a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day. Farmers and fishermen have different rules — see IRS Publication 505.
Estimated Tax by State
Click any state to open its quarterly estimated tax calculator.
No state income tax — federal only
States with income tax
What most guides don't tell you about quarterly taxes
The mechanics are straightforward. The strategy takes longer to learn.
The quarterly calendar wasn't designed for freelancers — and it shows
Q2 covers only April and May — two months of income — yet it's due just nine weeks after Q1. Meanwhile Q4 covers September through December (four months) and you don't pay until January 15. The lopsided schedule has agricultural roots: the system was built for farmers who needed flexibility around harvests and never got updated for the modern gig economy. The practical consequence: if you do project-based work and a big contract lands in October, that income all stacks into Q4 — which you estimate in January, looking at four-month-old numbers.
The cleaner approach that most experienced self-employed people eventually land on: set aside a fixed percentage of every payment you receive — 25–30% is a reasonable starting point for most tax situations — into a separate account, regardless of which quarter it lands in. Then pay from that account on the quarterly due dates. You stop trying to predict the future and just tax yourself at the source.
The April 15 double-hit
April 15 is the same deadline for both your prior-year return balance and your Q1 estimated payment for the current year. New freelancers get blindsided by this every first year — you owe last year's taxes and start paying this year's on the same day. Build that into your April cash flow plan well before March.
If you have a W-2 job, you may never need to make a quarterly payment
The IRS treats W-2 withholding as if it were paid evenly throughout the year — regardless of when it actually left your paycheck. So if you have a day job alongside your freelance income, you can ask your employer to withhold an extra flat dollar amount each pay period (via IRS Form W-4, line 4(c)) to cover your expected self-employment tax liability. If you get paid biweekly, a modest extra $400 per check adds up to $10,400 over the year — which might cover your entire quarterly obligation.
This approach eliminates the quarterly filing hassle and the risk of missing a due date. It works even if your freelance income is unpredictable, because you're satisfying safe harbor through accumulated withholding rather than guessing your quarterly payments. The catch: your employer can only withhold from your W-2 earnings, so if your W-2 income isn't large enough to cover the extra withholding, you'll still need quarterly payments for the remainder.
How to calculate the extra withholding amount
Use this calculator to find your estimated annual tax on your self-employment income. Divide by the number of pay periods you have left in the year. That's the extra amount to request on Form W-4. Do this in January to spread it across all 26 biweekly or 24 semi-monthly pay periods.
Safe harbor avoids penalties — but it can cost you thousands in cash flow
Safe harbor is designed for income uncertainty, not for all situations. Pay 100% of prior-year tax (or 110% if your prior-year AGI exceeded $150,000) and the IRS won't penalize you, even if your actual tax is higher. The mechanic is sound — but the math can work against you when your income drops significantly from one year to the next.
Say you had a great consulting year in 2025 ($180,000 AGI) but 2026 looks slower — maybe $40,000. Under the 110% safe harbor rule, you'd owe quarterly payments based on 110% of your 2025 tax bill. That might mean sending $30,000+ in quarterly payments on a year where your actual liability is closer to $8,000. You'll get the overpayment back as a refund in spring 2027, but you've given the IRS an interest-free loan all year.
When to skip safe harbor and use the actual method instead
- Your income is materially lower than last year (career change, health issue, business slowdown)
- You had a one-time income event last year (sold a business, exercised options, large capital gain)
- You can estimate current-year income with reasonable confidence
The January 15 payment you're legally allowed to skip
Almost no one knows this: per the 2026 Form 1040-ES, the Q4 estimated payment due January 15 is entirely optional — if you file your complete 2026 tax return and pay any remaining balance owed by February 1, 2027. (January 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday, so the IRS moves the deadline to the next business day.) Not just file by February 1, but file and pay. If you do both, the IRS waives any Q4 underpayment penalty.
This matters most for freelancers who do significant work in November and December and find it hard to estimate their Q4 income accurately in early January. Instead of guessing, you can close your books quickly, file your return early, and just pay the exact amount owed. No estimate required. The main downside: you need your records together by late January, which isn't realistic for everyone. But if you track income and expenses in real time, it's often easier than estimating.
One more Q4 thing worth knowing
If a client pays you on January 2 instead of December 30, that income falls in Q1 of the new year — not Q4 of the old one. Estimated taxes for individuals work on a cash basis. A two-day delay on a large invoice can meaningfully shift your Q4 liability, and you have until April 15 to address Q1 instead of January 15. Some freelancers time invoice issuance strategically for this reason.
Self-employment tax: the 15.3%, the 92.35% multiplier, and the AGI deduction
SE tax is 15.3% total: 12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare. But you don't pay it on 100% of your net profit — you pay it on 92.35% of net earnings. Here's why: employees don't pay FICA on the employer's matching half. The IRS gives self-employed people the same treatment by letting you reduce your SE earnings by the "employer-equivalent" portion (7.65%) before the tax is calculated. So: SE tax base = net profit × (1 − 0.0765) = net profit × 0.9235.
Example: $80,000 net self-employment profit
- SE tax base: $80,000 × 0.9235 = $73,880
- SE tax: $73,880 × 15.3% = $11,304
- AGI deduction (50% of SE tax): $11,304 × 50% = $5,652 off your gross income (Schedule 1, line 15)
The Social Security portion (12.4%) is capped — only the first $184,500 of combined wages and net SE earnings is subject to it in 2026. If you also have W-2 wages, those count first toward the cap. Medicare (2.9%) has no cap. Additionally, net SE earnings above $200,000 single / $250,000 MFJ are subject to an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax — the same surtax that applies to high-earning W-2 workers.
Your estimated quarterly payments must cover both your income tax and your self-employment tax. New self-employed people often calculate quarterly payments based only on income tax and get a nasty surprise — SE tax is typically the bigger bill at lower income levels.
California's 30/40/0/30 schedule: how state estimated tax differs from federal
California is the most important example of a state that does not follow the federal equal-quarters structure. While the IRS expects four payments of 25% each, the California FTB (Franchise Tax Board) requires a 30% / 40% / 0% / 30% installment schedule — meaning a larger front-loaded payment in June and nothing due in September. Paying California in equal quarters is a mistake that triggers an underpayment penalty even if your annual total is correct.
| Payment | Due date | Federal % | California % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April 15, 2026 | 25% | 30% |
| Q2 | June 15, 2026 | 25% | 40% |
| Q3 | Sept 15, 2026 | 25% | 0% |
| Q4 | Jan 15, 2027 | 25% | 30% |
Other California differences (2026)
- Threshold: $500 owed (vs $1,000 federal); $250 if MFS
- Safe harbor prior year: 100% (no 110% surcharge for high earners)
- Q4 skip: file + pay by January 31, 2027
- Form: 540-ES (not 1040-ES)
- Payment portal: FTB Web Pay — cannot pay CA tax via EFTPS
Other common state quirks
- Some states set their own due dates that differ from federal — always check your state revenue department
- Nine states have no income tax: AK, FL, NV, NH, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY
- Each state has its own safe harbor threshold and penalty rate — never assume federal rules apply
Source: FTB.ca.gov Estimated Tax Payments and 2026 Form 540-ES Instructions.
What the underpayment penalty actually costs: real dollar math for 2026
The underpayment penalty is often treated like a boogeyman. In practice it's a daily interest charge — not a flat fine, not a percentage of your tax, and not a criminal matter. The 2026 rate is 7% annualized (federal short-term rate + 3 percentage points, per IRC §6621). It is calculated separately for each payment period that was underpaid, for the exact number of days the shortfall existed.
Formula: Penalty = underpaid amount × 7% × (days unpaid ÷ 365)
| Scenario | Shortfall | Days unpaid | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miss Q1 entirely; pay at filing (Apr 15, 2027) | $2,000 | 365 | ~$140 |
| Underpay Q2 by $1,500; pay at filing (Apr 15, 2027) | $1,500 | ~304 | ~$88 |
| Pay Q3 two months late (Nov 15 instead of Sep 15) | $3,000 | ~61 | ~$35 |
| Miss all four quarters entirely | $8,000 total | varies by Q | ~$400–$500 |
Key facts about the penalty:
- The IRS figures the penalty for you using Form 2210 — you generally do not need to file it yourself unless you're requesting a waiver or using the Annualized Income Installment Method (Schedule AI).
- The rate changes quarterly, set by the IRS as the federal short-term rate + 3%. For 2026, Q1 rate was 6% and Q2 was 7%. The IRS publishes updates at IRS.gov/payments/quarterly-interest-rates.
- There is no penalty at all if you owe less than $1,000 after withholding and credits at filing — regardless of quarterly payments made.
- The penalty can be waived if the underpayment resulted from a casualty, disaster, or retirement/disability during the tax year. See IRS Topic 306 for waiver conditions.
How to Actually Make the Payments
Federal (three options)
- IRS Direct Pay at IRS.gov/payments — free, no account needed, but limited to 2 payments per day
- EFTPS (requires prior enrollment) — preferred by accountants because it allows scheduling payments in advance and keeps a full payment history
- Mail a check with Form 1040-ES voucher — allow 5–7 business days; the IRS uses the postmark date, not the arrival date
State (the part people forget)
Every state with an income tax runs a completely separate estimated payment system. You cannot pay state taxes through the federal EFTPS portal. Each state has its own payment portal, voucher system, and — crucially — its own due dates that sometimes differ from the federal schedule.
Check your state revenue department website for the exact portal. Nine states have no income tax at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — no state estimated payments required.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for planning only. Tax rules and state requirements vary. Consult IRS Publication 505, Form 1040-ES instructions, or a tax professional for your situation.
Official Sources
- IRS Publication 505 — Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
Who must pay, due dates, safe harbor, penalties.
- Form 1040-ES — Estimated Tax for Individuals
Federal quarterly estimated tax payment voucher.
- IRS Tax Topic 306 — Underpayment Penalty
Underpayment penalty rules and exceptions.
The quarterly amounts above come from your inputs on this page—not a third-party widget. We estimate your full-year self-employment and income tax, subtract any W-2 withholding you already have, optionally apply the IRS safe harbor rule, then divide the remainder into four equal federal installments. Below are the formulas, the order we follow, and a worked example you can check by hand.
Formulas
These are the equations behind the calculator. Dollar amounts come from the fields you enter above.
| Line | Formula |
|---|---|
| Net profit | Self-employment income − Business expenses (cannot be less than $0) |
| Self-employment tax base | Net profit × 92.35% |
| Self-employment tax | Social Security (12.4% on base, up to $184,500 wage base) + Medicare (2.9% on full base) + Additional Medicare (0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married filing jointly when W-2 + SE income combined exceed the threshold) |
| Federal taxable income | Net profit − 50% of (Social Security + Medicare portions of SE tax) + Other W-2 income, then minus standard deduction |
| Annual tax liability | Self-employment tax + Federal income tax + State income tax |
| Remaining to pay | Annual tax liability − W-2 withholding already paid (minimum $0) |
| Safe harbor (optional) | Prior year total tax × 100% (or × 110% if your income exceeds $150,000) |
| Quarterly payment | When safe harbor is on: lesser of (remaining based on current-year estimate, remaining based on safe harbor). Otherwise: remaining to pay |
| Per quarter | Quarterly payment ÷ 4 |
Order of operations
Calculate net profit from self-employment
Net profit = Self-employment income − Business expenses
We start with your 1099 or Schedule C net earnings. Expenses reduce profit before any tax is calculated. If expenses exceed income, net profit is zero.
Calculate self-employment tax
SE base = Net profit × 92.35%; SE tax = Social Security + Medicare (+ Additional Medicare if applicable)
Self-employed workers pay both the employee and employer halves of FICA through Schedule SE. The IRS taxes 92.35% of net profit—not 100%—to mirror the employer share W-2 workers never see on their paycheck. Half of the base Social Security and Medicare SE tax reduces your income for federal tax.
Calculate federal and state income tax
Federal + State income tax on taxable income after the SE tax deduction and standard deduction
We combine net profit, the deductible half of SE tax, and any W-2 wages, then apply federal brackets and your selected state's income tax rules—the same logic as our 1099 tax calculator.
Total annual tax liability
Annual liability = Self-employment tax + Federal income tax + State income tax
This is your estimated full-year tax before any payments you have already made through W-2 withholding.
Subtract W-2 withholding
Remaining = Annual liability − W-2 withholding (minimum $0)
If you also have a W-2 job, enter federal withholding from your pay stubs. That reduces how much you need to send in quarterly estimated payments.
Apply safe harbor (if enabled)
Safe harbor = Prior year tax × 100% (or × 110% if income > $150,000); use lesser of current-year remaining or safe harbor remaining
Paying 100% of last year's tax (110% for higher incomes) in four installments generally avoids federal underpayment penalties even if this year's actual tax is higher. We use your current-year income as a proxy for the $150,000 threshold when you do not enter prior-year AGI separately.
Divide into four quarterly payments
Per quarter = Quarterly payment ÷ 4
Federal Form 1040-ES assumes four equal installments due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Some states use different percentages or due dates—we show federal equal quarters only.
Worked example
$75,000 self-employment income, $8,000 expenses, single filer, Texas
Step A — net profit.
Net profit = $75,000 − $8,000 = $67,000
Step B — self-employment tax.
SE base = $67,000 × 92.35% = $61,874.50. Self-employment tax = $9,466.80 (Social Security + Medicare on the SE base). Half of base SE tax ($4,733.40) reduces federal taxable income.
Step C — income tax.
Federal income tax = $5,291.99. Texas has no state income tax on wages.
Step D — quarterly payments.
Annual liability = $9,466.80 + $5,291.99 = $14,758.79. No W-2 withholding entered. Per quarter = $14,758.79 ÷ 4 = $3,689.70.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Net profit | $67,000 |
| Self-employment tax | $9,466.80 |
| Federal income tax | $5,291.99 |
| Texas state income tax | $0 |
| Annual tax liability | $14,758.79 |
| W-2 withholding applied | -$0 |
| Total quarterly payments | $14,758.79 |
| Per quarter (÷ 4) | $3,689.70 |
| Quarter | Due date (2026) | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April 15, 2026 | $3,689.70 |
| Q2 | June 15, 2026 | $3,689.70 |
| Q3 | September 15, 2026 | $3,689.70 |
| Q4 | January 15, 2027 | $3,689.70 |
$9,466.80 SE tax + $5,291.99 federal + $0 Texas state = $14,758.79 annual liability; ÷ 4 = $3,689.70 per quarter
Texas has no state income tax on this example, so the full $14,758.79 is federal only. In California with the same income, state tax adds about $1,874.80 and annual liability rises to about $16,633.59.
Rates and parameters we use
| Parameter | What we use |
|---|---|
| SE tax base multiplier | 92.35% |
| Social Security rate (SE) | 12.4% on SE base |
| Medicare rate (SE) | 2.9% on SE base (no cap) |
| 2026 Social Security wage base | $184,500 |
| Safe harbor — standard | 100% of prior year total tax |
| Safe harbor — higher income | 110% of prior year total tax |
| 2026 federal due dates | Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Jan 15, 2027 |
What we do not model on this page
We model federal equal 25% quarters only—not California's 30/40/0/30 schedule, annualized installment method (Form 2210 Schedule AI), or state-specific due dates that differ from the IRS. Safe harbor 110% uses current-year income as a proxy for the $150,000 AGI test because we do not collect prior-year AGI separately. We do not calculate underpayment penalty interest, refundable credits beyond W-2 withholding, or estimated payments already made earlier in the year.