Free Quarterly Tax Estimator
Calculate your estimated quarterly tax payments for freelance and 1099 income. Avoid IRS underpayment penalties with safe harbor guidance.
Freelance Income
Total expected freelance/contract income this year
Deductible business expenses (home office, supplies, etc.)
W-2 Income (Optional)
If you also have a regular job
Tax Details
Prior Year
From last year's tax return (line 24)
For 110% safe harbor rule (if AGI > $150K)
Quarterly payments already sent to IRS this year
Your Next Quarterly Payment
$2,876
Due 2026-04-15 (Q1)
Annual Tax Breakdown
Quarterly Payment Schedule
| Quarter | Due Date | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 2026-04-15 | $2,876 | Upcoming |
| Q2 | 2026-06-15 | $2,876 | Upcoming |
| Q3 | 2026-09-15 | $2,876 | Upcoming |
| Q4 | 2027-01-15 | $2,876 | Upcoming |
Safe Harbor Status
Safe harbor rule: Pay at least 100% of last year's tax (110% if AGI > $150K) or 90% of this year's tax to avoid penalties.
Quarterly Tax Basics
Who Needs to Pay?
If you expect to owe $1,000+ in taxes and don't have an employer withholding taxes, you likely need to make quarterly estimated payments.
2026 Deadlines
Q1: April 15, Q2: June 15, Q3: September 15, Q4: January 15 (next year). Missing deadlines triggers penalties.
Self-Employment Tax
Freelancers pay 15.3% SE tax (Social Security + Medicare) on top of income tax. The good news: half is deductible.