Quarterly estimated tax calculator
Freelance income arrives without withholding, so the IRS expects payments four times a year. This estimates your annual liability and splits it into quarterly amounts.
Estimate only. Figures update as you type. Not tax advice — see the note at the bottom of this page.
When quarterly payments are due
The IRS splits the year into four payment periods. Deadlines usually fall in mid-April, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January of the following year, but exact dates shift with weekends and holidays. Confirm them on the IRS site each year before you pay.
What happens if you skip them
Underpaying during the year can trigger an underpayment penalty even if you pay your full balance by the filing deadline. The penalty works like interest on the amount you should have paid in each period, so catching up in December doesn't undo a missed spring payment.
Safe harbor
Many freelancers sidestep penalties by paying at least as much as their previous year's total tax, spread across four payments, regardless of how the current year turns out. The qualifying percentage depends on your income level. It's a common planning approach and worth confirming against your own situation.
A practical system
The freelancers who find this painless rarely budget for it at quarter's end. They move a fixed percentage of every client payment into a separate account the day it lands, then pay from that account four times a year. The money never feels available, so it never gets spent.
Common questions
How do I actually pay?
Most people pay online through IRS Direct Pay or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. You can also mail a payment voucher. Payments are applied to the quarter you designate.
What if my income changes mid-year?
Recalculate. Quarterly payments are estimates and you can adjust each one up or down as the year becomes clearer. Rerunning the numbers every quarter is normal practice.
Does this include state tax?
No. This estimates federal income tax and self-employment tax only. State and local obligations are separate and vary widely.