CashoutTools / Quarterly tax calculator
Quarterly tax calculator
Paid on a 1099? Nobody is withholding for you. Estimate your 2026 tax and see what to send the IRS each quarter to stay clear of the underpayment penalty.
Due dates: April 15, 2026 · June 15, 2026 · September 15, 2026 · January 15, 2027
Who has to pay quarterly
You generally need to make estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more for 2026 after withholding and refundable credits. That's common for contractors, gig delivery drivers, and anyone with a side job that pays without withholding. Employees whose tips go through payroll usually don't need to, since their employer withholds.
The safe harbor
You avoid the penalty if your withholding plus on-time payments cover the smaller of:
- 90% of your 2026 tax, or
- 100% of your 2025 tax (110% if your 2025 adjusted gross income was over $150,000, or $75,000 if you file married filing separately for 2026).
Paying last year's amount is the simplest choice when your income jumps, because it's a number you already know. If you tick the box above, the calculator uses whichever is smaller.
2026 due dates
| Payment | For income earned | Due |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January to March | April 15, 2026 |
| 2 | April and May | June 15, 2026 |
| 3 | June to August | September 15, 2026 |
| 4 | September to December | January 15, 2027 |
You can skip the January payment if you file your 2026 return by February 1, 2027 and pay the balance in full. Pay through IRS Direct Pay or your IRS online account and pick "estimated tax" and 2026. If your state has an income tax, check whether it wants estimated payments too.
What goes into the estimate
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit. Half of it comes off your income before income tax. The calculator then takes the standard deduction, the No Tax on Tips deduction if you claim it, and the qualified business income deduction, and runs the 2026 brackets. Track your mileage too; the mileage calculator shows what it's worth.
