Free business planning calculator
Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Estimate a rough quarterly tax reserve for freelance income, with 2026 IRS due dates and safe-harbor context. Planning use only.
Enter the minimum numbers needed to get a result.
Updated live as you type.
Planning estimate only. It does not include taxes, overhead allocation, depreciation, discounts, or other business-specific adjustments.
Quarterly estimated tax payments are required by the IRS for individuals who expect to owe $1,000 or more in tax when their return is filed, typically self-employed individuals, freelancers, and those with significant investment income.
Formula and example
Base SE tax uses 92.35% of net income, the Social Security wage-base cap, and Medicare; rough quarterly reserve = estimated remaining annual tax ÷ 4
$80K self-employment − $10K expenses = $70K net. Base SE tax is about $9,891 and flat-rate income tax is $15,400, producing a rough reserve of about $6,323 per quarter before unmodeled adjustments.
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Methodology & assumptions
Last updated: 2026-07-29Calculation method
Calculates base self-employment tax with the 2026 Social Security cap and a flat income-tax rate, accounts for entered W-2 withholding, and shows a simplified safe-harbor comparison.
Data sources
Uses the numbers you enter and standard small-business finance formulas. Benchmark comparisons use HustleFin industry benchmark pages where available.
Limitations
Uses a flat income-tax rate and does not collect filing status or prior-year AGI, so it omits Additional Medicare Tax and cannot apply the 110% prior-year safe-harbor rule. It also omits credits, QBI, uneven-income installments, and state-specific rules. Calendar-year dates are general. Planning estimate only; consult a CPA or EA.
Input definitions
- Annual self-employment income: Total self-employment or freelance income this year.
- Business expenses: Deductible business expenses: equipment, software, home office, mileage, etc.
- W-2 income (if any): Income from a W-2 job where taxes are already withheld.
- W-2 tax already withheld: Federal and state income tax already withheld from your W-2 paycheck this year.
- Estimated income tax rate: Your estimated effective income tax rate (federal + state).
- Prior year total tax: Planning input only. The prior-year target may be 100% or 110%, depending on prior AGI.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?+
Generally yes if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in tax after subtracting withholding and refundable credits. Most freelancers and self-employed individuals with net income above $5,000-$10,000 will need to pay quarterly. Use this calculator to estimate your quarterly amount.
What is the safe harbor rule?+
Common federal targets are 90% of current-year tax or 100% of prior-year tax, increased to 110% for some taxpayers with prior-year AGI above $150,000. Withholding, payment timing, filing status, exceptions, and uneven income also matter. This calculator shows only a simplified reference.
When are quarterly tax payments due?+
Q1: April 15 (for Jan-Mar income), Q2: June 15 (for Apr-May), Q3: September 15 (for Jun-Aug), Q4: January 15 of the following year (for Sep-Dec). If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day.
What happens if I don't pay quarterly taxes?+
An underpayment penalty may apply when required tax is not paid on time, but safe harbors and statutory exceptions can change the result. The rate and calculation can change, so use current IRS guidance or Form 2210 rather than relying on a fixed percentage.
Related guides
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