Quarterly Tax Estimator
Estimate your quarterly federal tax payments for 2026. Enter your expected annual income, deductions, and filing status.
Estimated Quarterly Payments
Need help filing your estimated taxes?
Tax software for self employed filers walks you through estimated payments, deductions, and Schedule SE automatically.
Try TurboTax Self EmployedHow Quarterly Estimated Taxes Work
When you work for an employer, taxes get withheld from each paycheck automatically. When you work for yourself, nobody withholds anything. The IRS still expects to get paid throughout the year, not just in one lump sum at tax time. That is why estimated quarterly payments exist.
You estimate your annual tax bill, divide it by four, and send a payment each quarter. If your total tax owed for the year ends up being more than $1,000 after credits and withholding, the IRS expects these quarterly payments. Skipping them or underpaying can result in a penalty even if you pay everything you owe when you file your return.
The payment amounts do not have to be exactly one fourth of your annual total. If your income is uneven throughout the year, you can use the annualized income installment method to pay less in slower quarters. But for most people, dividing by four is the simplest approach.
What This Calculator Includes
The federal income tax estimate uses 2025 tax brackets as a proxy since the 2026 brackets have not all been finalized. The self employment tax calculation applies the 15.3% rate (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare) to 92.35% of your net income, with the Social Security portion capped at the wage base limit.
The deduction field defaults to the 2025 standard deduction for single filers ($14,600). If you are married filing jointly, the standard deduction is $29,200. If you itemize and your deductions are higher than the standard amount, enter your itemized total instead. The calculator also applies the deductible half of self employment tax automatically.
This calculator does not include state income taxes, which vary by state and can add significantly to your quarterly obligation. It also does not account for tax credits, capital gains, or other types of income beyond self employment earnings.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides rough estimates for planning purposes only. It is not tax advice. Tax laws change regularly, and your actual tax liability depends on many factors not captured here. Use IRS Form 1040-ES for official calculations, or consult a qualified tax professional.