Quarterly Tax Calculator
Estimate your quarterly tax payment.
1099 contractors, freelancers, and S-corp owners owe federal tax in quarterly installments, not just at filing. This calculator estimates your annual federal liability (income tax plus self-employment tax or FICA) and divides it into four quarterly payments. Uses 2026 IRS brackets and limits. Built by an Enrolled Agent and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™.
Quarterly estimated tax calculator
Estimates your annual federal tax liability and the quarterly payment due each quarter. Assumes no other income, standard deduction, no withholding.
Filing status
Business structure
Annual net profit
Estimated results
Enter your information to see results.
Quarterly tax questions, answered
Who has to pay quarterly estimated taxes?
Anyone who expects to owe more than $1,000 in federal tax for the year after subtracting withholding and refundable credits. That covers most 1099 contractors, freelancers, single-member LLCs, sole proprietors, and S-corp owners whose W-2 withholding does not cover their full liability. If you have a regular job and a side business, you may need to make estimates only on the side income.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due in 2026?
April 15, 2026 (Q1), June 15, 2026 (Q2), September 15, 2026 (Q3), and January 15, 2027 (Q4). The quarters are not evenly spaced. If you earn income unevenly across the year, you can use the annualized income method on Form 2210 to match payments to actual cash flow.
What is the safe harbor rule for estimated taxes?
You avoid the underpayment penalty if you pay at least 90% of your current-year tax liability, or 100% of last year's total tax (110% if your prior-year adjusted gross income was over $150,000). Most people target the prior-year safe harbor because it is easier to calculate at the start of the year.
What happens if I miss a quarterly payment?
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty calculated on Form 2210, based on the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, accruing daily on the underpayment. The penalty is not catastrophic for one missed quarter, but it is non-deductible. You can usually reduce the damage by making the payment late but before the next deadline.
Does this calculator account for state taxes?
No. This is a federal-only estimate covering self-employment tax (or FICA on an S-corp salary) plus federal income tax. State and local taxes vary by jurisdiction and are not included. If you live in a state with income tax, add the state quarterly estimate separately.
Stop guessing on quarterlies.
Cleared calculates your quarterly estimates from real-time books, not last year's return. Apply for a spot and we will respond within one business day.