Free tools / Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Free toolQuarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Self-employed or own a pass-through business? Estimate what you may owe the IRS for 2026 and what each quarterly payment should be.
2026 estimated tax due dates
Estimates for general information only, not tax advice. Your actual numbers depend on your full situation.
Estimated payment per quarter
$0
2026 due dates
What this calculator assumes
It uses the 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly), adds 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of your profit, and deducts half of that self-employment tax from income, the way your return does.
It does not include the qualified business income deduction, itemized deductions, credits or state taxes, so your real bill may be lower. Paying at least 100% of last year's tax (110% if your income was over $150,000) in four equal payments generally protects you from underpayment penalties.
Three steps, about a minute
Swipe to see more →
Pick your filing status
Single or married filing jointly.
Enter your income
Your expected self-employment profit, other income and any tax withheld from paychecks.
Pay each quarter
Pay the quarterly amount by each due date through IRS Direct Pay or your IRS online account.
Who has to pay estimated taxes?
Generally anyone who expects to owe $1,000 or more for the year after withholding and credits. That includes most self-employed people, freelancers, gig workers and business owners whose pay isn't withheld.
What happens if I miss a payment?
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty, figured separately for each quarter, much like interest. Paying late is still better than not paying; the penalty stops growing once the payment is made.
How can I avoid the penalty?
Pay at least 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's tax (110% if last year's adjusted gross income was over $150,000), spread over the four due dates.
How do I make the payments?
Online through IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS or your IRS online account, or by mail with a Form 1040-ES voucher. Our bookkeeping clients get the amounts and reminders from us each quarter.
Let us calculate and schedule your quarterly payments every quarter as part of bookkeeping.
More free tools
S Corp Tax Savings Calculator
See roughly how much an S corp election could save you, including the QBI deduction.
Open tool →Which Business Structure Fits? Quiz
Answer three questions to see whether an LLC, S corp, multi-member LLC or C corp fits.
Open tool →Tax Document Checklist
A printable list of everything to gather before your personal or business return.
Open tool →Ready to get started?
Tell us what you need and we will get back to you quickly.