Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator (2026)
No employer withholds taxes from 1099 income — so the IRS expects you to pay in four quarterly installments. See what each payment should be and when it's due.
Your 2026 estimated payments
| Payment | Due date | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | April 15, 2026 | |
| Q2 2026 | June 15, 2026 | |
| Q3 2026 | September 15, 2026 | |
| Q4 2026 | January 15, 2027 |
How it works
The U.S. tax system is pay-as-you-go. W-2 employees pay a little with every paycheck through withholding; self-employed workers are supposed to do the same thing manually, four times a year, using Form 1040-ES. If you skip quarterly payments and owe more than $1,000 at filing time, the IRS can charge you an underpayment penalty — even if you pay the full balance in April.
This calculator estimates your total 2026 federal tax (self-employment tax plus income tax, using the same method as our SE tax calculator) and divides it into four equal payments. Equal installments are the simplest approach and satisfy the IRS as long as the total covers what you owe.
The safe-harbor rule: you generally avoid the underpayment penalty if your quarterly payments total at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's total tax (110% if your adjusted gross income was over $150,000). Many gig workers use last year's number because it's a known, fixed target.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss a quarterly payment?
Nothing catastrophic — but interest accrues on the underpayment from the due date until you pay. Catch up as soon as you can; the penalty is calculated per quarter, so a late Q1 payment stops growing once it's paid.
Do the payments have to be exactly equal?
No. Equal payments are just the simplest method. If your income is seasonal (for example, you drive a lot more in December), you can use the annualized installment method on Form 2210 — but that requires more paperwork.
How do I actually pay the IRS?
The easiest way is IRS Direct Pay at irs.gov (free, from your bank account) — select "Estimated Tax" and the right tax year. You can also pay through the IRS2Go app or by mailing Form 1040-ES with a check.
What if my income changes mid-year?
Re-run the numbers. You're allowed to adjust remaining quarterly payments up or down — the IRS only cares that the yearly total is enough. Come back to this calculator with your updated estimate.
Does this include state estimated tax?
No — federal only. Most states with an income tax have their own quarterly estimated requirements and due dates. Check your state revenue department's site.
I'm new and didn't pay Q1. Am I in trouble?
You're not in serious trouble, but start now. Pay the missed quarter together with the next one (or separately via Direct Pay) and keep the remaining schedule. The underpayment penalty for one missed quarter on gig-worker income is usually small — the expensive mistake is ignoring it all year.