Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator 2026

Work out your 2026 quarterly estimated tax payments — federal income tax plus self-employment tax — and the minimum that avoids an IRS penalty.

By Thomas P. Checked against IRS Form 1040-ES & Rev. Proc. 2025-32 Updated

Your 2026 estimate

Pay each quarter

—

Covers an estimated $0 of 2026 federal tax after withholding

Federal income tax
—
Self-employment tax
—
Minus withholding
—
Minimum to avoid penalty (per quarter)
—

    Estimate for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice. Federal figures for tax year 2026; state and local taxes are not included unless you enter them. Check your situation with a CPA or enrolled agent.

    Who has to pay quarterly estimated tax

    The US tax system is pay-as-you-go. Employees pay through withholding; self-employed people usually have no one withholding for them, so the IRS expects four estimated payments a year instead. You generally need to make them if you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file, after subtracting any withholding and refundable credits.

    Estimated payments cover both taxes on your freelance profit: federal income tax and self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare). This calculator estimates both.

    2026 due dates

    Payment Income period Due
    1 January 1 – March 31 April 15, 2026
    2 April 1 – May 31 June 15, 2026
    3 June 1 – August 31 September 15, 2026
    4 September 1 – December 31 January 15, 2027

    The “quarters” are uneven: the second covers two months and the fourth covers four. If a due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it moves to the next business day.

    How the estimate is calculated

    1. Self-employment tax: 15.3% of 92.35% of your profit (12.4% of it only up to the $184,500 Social Security wage base).
    2. Adjusted gross income: profit plus any W-2 wages, minus half of your self-employment tax.
    3. Taxable income: AGI minus the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) and the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction.
    4. Income tax: taxable income run through the 2026 brackets (10% to 37%).
    5. Quarterly payment: income tax plus SE tax, minus expected withholding, divided by four.
    Example — single, $85,000 profit, no other income.
    SE tax: $12,010. Half of it ($6,005) is deducted, so AGI is $78,995.
    Minus the $16,100 standard deduction = $62,895; minus a $12,579 QBI deduction = $50,316 taxable.
    Income tax on $50,316: $5,790.
    Total 2026 federal tax ≈ $17,800, or $4,450 per quarter.

    The safe harbor: the minimum that avoids a penalty

    You do not have to predict your tax perfectly. The IRS will not charge an underpayment penalty if your withholding and timely estimated payments add up to at least the smaller of:

    • 90% of your 2026 tax, or
    • 100% of your 2025 tax (shown on your 2025 return) — 110% if your 2025 adjusted gross income was over $150,000 ($75,000 if married filing separately).

    Enter last year’s total tax and AGI in the optional fields and the calculator shows this minimum. Paying the safe-harbor amount protects you from the penalty, but if you earn more this year you will still owe the difference in April.

    Example: with the $85,000 profit above, 90% of this year’s tax is $16,020 ($4,005 per quarter). If your total 2025 tax was $14,000 and your AGI was under $150,000, the safe harbor drops to $14,000 — $3,500 per quarter.

    If your income is uneven

    Equal payments assume you earn evenly through the year. If most of your income arrives late in the year, the annualized income installment method (Form 2210, Schedule AI) lets you pay less in early quarters without a penalty. It takes more paperwork, so most people with steady income simply pay equal amounts.

    How to pay

    • IRS Direct Pay — free bank transfer from irs.gov, no enrollment needed.
    • Your IRS Online Account — pay and see past estimated payments in one place.
    • EFTPS — the Treasury’s free payment system; useful for scheduling payments ahead.
    • Debit or credit card through an IRS-approved processor (they charge a fee).

    Mark each payment as a 1040-ES estimated payment for 2026, and keep the confirmation numbers. Most states with an income tax have their own estimated payment schedule as well.

    Frequently asked questions

    I have a W-2 job too. Can I skip estimated payments?

    Possibly. You can ask your employer to withhold more on Form W-4 to cover your side income. Withholding counts as if paid evenly through the year, which can also fix an underpayment late in the year.

    What if I miss a payment?

    Pay as soon as you can. The penalty works like interest on the late amount for the number of days it is late, so a short delay costs little.

    Does this include state tax?

    No. This calculator covers federal income tax and self-employment tax. Check your state’s estimated tax rules separately.