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If you’re self-employed, taxes aren’t a once-a-year event. The IRS expects you to pay as you earn, through quarterly estimated payments. Here’s how to get them right and avoid penalties.
Who needs to pay
Generally, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file, you should be making estimated payments. That covers most freelancers, contractors, and small-business owners without enough W-2 withholding to cover the bill.
The safe-harbor rule (your penalty shield)
You avoid an underpayment penalty if you pay, through withholding and estimates, at least the smaller of:
- 90% of your current year’s total tax, or
- 100% of last year’s total tax (110% if your prior-year AGI was over $150,000).
Hitting the prior-year number is the easiest target because you already know it.
Estimate your self-employment tax
Most of an estimated payment for a self-employed person is income tax plus self-employment tax. The calculator below figures both, and shows the quarterly amount:
See the full breakdown
- Self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare)$0
- Social Security portion$0
- Medicare portion$0
- Additional Medicare tax (0.9%)$0
- Deduction for half of SE tax$0
- Taxable part of Social Security benefits$0
- Adjusted gross income$0
- Standard deduction$0
- Senior deduction (65+)$0
- Qualified business income deduction$0
- Taxable income$0
- Income tax$0
- included capital-gains tax at 0/15/20%$0
- Total federal tax$0
- Effective rate on total income0%
- Still owed after withholding and payments$0
Safe-harbor minimum: $0 for the year
Pay in the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax and the IRS charges no underpayment penalty: $0 per quarter after withholding.
Want these numbers verified and your quarterly payments planned?
Call 603-860-6000This is an estimate. It leaves out tax credits, itemized deductions, and state tax, and your actual return can differ. It is general information rather than advice on your specific situation. See the full disclaimer. The 2026 figures are the IRS's published amounts for next filing season; we'll update this page if any of them change.
Payment schedule
Estimated taxes are due four times a year: roughly mid-April, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January. Pay online through IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS, and keep a record of each confirmation.
Want a second set of eyes on your numbers before you send a payment? That’s exactly the kind of quick check I can do. Read the self-employment tax guide for the full picture, or call to talk through your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
When are quarterly estimated taxes due in 2026?
For the 2026 tax year, estimated payments are generally due April 15, June 15, and September 15 of 2026, and January 15 of 2027. Dates shift to the next business day when they fall on a weekend or holiday.
What happens if I skip a quarter?
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty calculated by quarter, so paying everything in April does not undo a missed earlier payment. Catching up as soon as possible limits the penalty.