Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator 2026 (IRS 1040-ES)

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Formula at a glance

Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator: Quarterly payment — min(90% × 2026 tax, 100–110% × 2025 tax) − withholding, ÷ 4. Example: Freelancer, $90,000 profit, $15,000 tax last year → Pay each quarter: $3,750 — How the Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator works: Quarterly payment — min(90% × 2026 tax, 100–110% × 2025 tax) − withholding, ÷ 4

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📘 About the US Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator 2026

If you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file, the IRS expects you to pay during the year. You are safe from the penalty if withholding plus estimated payments cover 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's tax (110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000).

For 2026 the payments are due on 15 April, 15 June and 15 September 2026, and 15 January 2027. The calculator projects your 2026 income tax and self-employment tax and picks the smaller safe-harbor amount.

🧮 Formula

Quarterly payment

min(90% × 2026 tax, 100–110% × 2025 tax) − withholding, ÷ 4

✏️ Worked examples

Freelancer, $90,000 profit, $15,000 tax last year

You enter
Filing status	Single
Expected self-employment profit	90,000 $
Expected W-2 wages	0 $
Other income (interest, rent, gains)	0 $
Children under 17	0
Tax withheld from wages this year	0 $
Last year's total tax (Form 1040 line 24)	15,000 $
Last year's AGI	80,000 $

You get
Pay each quarter	$3,750
Total estimated payments	$15,000
Projected 2026 federal tax	$19,316
Safe harbor used	100% of last year's tax
Already withheld	$0

$3,750 per quarter.

$60,000 profit, no prior-year figure

You enter
Filing status	Single
Expected self-employment profit	60,000 $
Expected W-2 wages	0 $
Other income (interest, rent, gains)	0 $
Children under 17	0
Tax withheld from wages this year	0 $
Last year's total tax (Form 1040 line 24)	0 $
Last year's AGI	0 $

You get
Pay each quarter	$2,708
Total estimated payments	$10,833
Projected 2026 federal tax	$12,037
Safe harbor used	90% of 2026 tax
Already withheld	$0

$2,708 per quarter.

🧭 How to use this calculator

What you enter

Filing status
Expected self-employment profit ($)
Expected W-2 wages ($)
Other income (interest, rent, gains) ($)
Children under 17
Tax withheld from wages this year ($)
Last year's total tax (Form 1040 line 24) ($)Optional — used for the prior-year safe harbor.
Last year's AGI ($)

What you get

Pay each quarter
Total estimated payments
Projected 2026 federal tax
Safe harbor used
Already withheld

❓ Frequently asked questions

When are 2026 estimated tax payments due?

15 April 2026, 15 June 2026, 15 September 2026 and 15 January 2027. If a date falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day.

What is the safe harbor rule?

No penalty if you pay at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's (110% if your AGI was over $150,000), spread evenly over the quarters.

How do I pay quarterly taxes?

Online with IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS or your IRS online account, or by mailing Form 1040-ES vouchers.

What is the penalty for not paying quarterly?

Interest-like charges at the federal short-term rate plus 3%, worked out on Form 2210 for each late or short quarter.

🗓️ US Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator 2026