Educational estimate using 2026 figures. Not tax advice.
We subtract any tax already paid from your expected annual tax, then divide the remainder across the quarters you have left.
Plan your self-employed taxes with our free tools.
Self-employed people pay estimated tax four times a year, not in one April lump. Underpay and you can owe a penalty. This splits your expected annual tax (minus anything already withheld) across the remaining quarters.
Payments are due roughly April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. A safe-harbor trick: pay either 90% of this year’s tax or 100–110% of last year’s, and you avoid penalties even if you under-estimate.
Roughly April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15.
Enough to cover 90% of this year's tax or 100–110% of last year's.
You may owe an underpayment penalty plus interest.
No — it's an estimate.