Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Estimate your federal tax + SE tax and split into the four IRS quarterly payments with due dates.
Annual self-employment revenue minus business expenses
Each quarterly payment
Pay every quarter
$4,819
$19,274/year ÷ 4 · 24.1% effective rate
Federal income tax (annual)
$7,971
On taxable income after ½ SE-tax deduction
Self-employment tax (annual)
$11,304
15.3% of 92.35% of net SE income
Total annual federal tax
$19,274
Income tax + SE tax
| Quarter | Due date | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April 15, 2025 | $4,819 |
| Q2 | June 16, 2025 | $4,819 |
| Q3 | September 15, 2025 | $4,819 |
| Q4 | January 15, 2026 | $4,819 |
Safe-harbor rule. To avoid an underpayment penalty even if you guess your income wrong, pay either (a) 90% of this year's tax or (b) 100% of last year's tax (110% if you earned over $150,000 last year). Many freelancers just match last year's total — split into four payments — and adjust at filing time.
State tax is NOT included. Most states with an income tax also require quarterly estimated payments, often on a similar schedule. Look up your state's form at the Federation of Tax Administrators directory — Common ones: California Form 540-ES, New York IT-2105, Massachusetts Form 1-ES.
Pay online via the IRS. The easiest way to pay is IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS — free, instant confirmation, tracks your history. Or mail Form 1040-ES with a paper check; the address depends on your state.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your expected net SE income — your annual self-employment revenue minus deductible business expenses.
- Pick your filing status — affects the income tax brackets and the high-earner Medicare surcharge.
- Choose the tax year — drives the brackets, FICA wage base, and quarterly due dates.
The result shows your quarterly payment amount plus the four IRS due dates. The next upcoming due date is highlighted so you know when to act.
How it works
The calculator combines two taxes:
1. Federal income tax is computed on (net SE income − ½ SE tax − standard deduction), using the IRS bracket table for your filing status and year. The half-SE-tax deduction is allowed by the IRS to partially offset the higher payroll-tax burden.
2. Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net SE income, with the 12.4% Social Security portion capped at the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2025).
Add the two together and divide by 4 to get the quarterly payment.
For $80,000 of net SE income (single, 2025):
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Self-employment tax | $11,304 |
| Half-SE-tax deduction | $5,652 |
| Taxable income (after $15,000 standard deduction) | $59,348 |
| Federal income tax | $7,971 |
| Total annual federal tax | $19,274 |
| Quarterly payment | $4,819 |
Pay $4,819 each quarter (April, June, September, January) and you’ve covered your federal tax liability without penalty — though check the safe-harbor rule above to avoid penalty risk if your income jumps mid-year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to make quarterly estimated tax payments? ▾
Anyone who expects to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax after withholding. That includes most self-employed workers and freelancers, but also W-2 employees with significant side income, investors with large capital gains, and landlords with net rental income. Withholding (from a W-2 job) counts toward the total, so if your day-job withholding covers your full tax bill you may not need to make estimated payments.
What are the quarterly due dates? ▾
April 15 (Q1), June 15 (Q2 — shifts to June 16 in 2025 because the 15th is Sunday), September 15 (Q3), and January 15 of the following year (Q4). They're confusingly NOT evenly spaced — Q1 covers Jan-Mar, Q2 covers only April-May, Q3 covers June-August, Q4 covers Sept-Dec. The IRS publishes the dates as official deadlines but the math behind the windows is uneven.
What is the safe-harbor rule? ▾
To avoid an underpayment penalty even if you guess your income wrong, you can pay either (a) 90% of this year's total tax or (b) 100% of last year's total tax (110% if your prior-year AGI was over $150,000). Many self-employed workers just split last year's tax bill into four and pay that — adjusting up only if their income jumps significantly. As long as you hit one of those safe-harbor numbers, no penalty even if you owe more at filing time.
What happens if I miss a quarterly payment? ▾
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty calculated quarter by quarter — even if you pay extra later, the early-quarter underpayment still earns interest. The penalty rate floats with the federal short-term rate plus 3% (currently around 8%). It's not catastrophic on small amounts, but it's a guaranteed loss that's easy to avoid by paying on time.
Does this calculator include state estimated tax? ▾
No — only federal income tax + self-employment tax. Most states with an income tax also require quarterly estimated payments (California Form 540-ES, New York IT-2105, etc.), often on a similar schedule. Check your state department of revenue site for its own forms. State rates vary too widely to bundle into one calculator.
How do I actually pay quarterly estimated tax? ▾
The easiest way is IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS — both free, both online, both give you a confirmation. Direct Pay debits your bank account directly; EFTPS is the same but requires enrolling first (takes about a week to receive your PIN by mail). You can also mail Form 1040-ES with a paper check — the address varies by state and is printed on the form.