CalcHelm

Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator (2026)

Estimate what to set aside each quarter as a freelancer, contractor, or other self-employed filer: self-employment tax, federal income tax after the QBI deduction, and your safe-harbor payment for each 2026 due date. Calculations run in your browser using the 2026 Form 1040-ES method.

Your 1099/freelance income minus business expenses (what Schedule C will show).

Under 17 at the end of 2026, with a Social Security number.

W-2 job, deductions & safe harbor (optional)

Reduces the Social Security portion of SE tax once combined wages pass the wage base.

Withholding counts toward your estimated tax requirement.

SEP-IRA, solo 401(k), and health premiums you deduct as a self-employed person.

HSA contributions, student loan interest, etc.

Estimated quarterly payment

$3,746

$16,647 estimated federal tax for 2026 (20.8% effective rate)

2026 estimated tax payment schedule
Due datePayment
April 15, 2026$3,745.68
June 15, 2026$3,745.68
September 15, 2026$3,745.68
January 15, 2027$3,745.68

Based on the 90%-of-current-year safe harbor. Set aside $16,647 in total to cover the full bill at filing.

How we got there

Net self-employment profit
$80,000.00
Net earnings from self-employment (92.35%)
$73,880.00
SE tax — Social Security portion
$9,161.12
SE tax — Medicare portion
$2,142.52
Deduction for one-half of SE tax
-$5,651.82
Adjusted gross income
$74,348.18
Standard deduction
-$16,100.00
QBI deduction (Section 199A)
-$11,649.64
Taxable income
$46,598.54
Federal income tax
$5,343.82
Total estimated federal tax
$16,647.46
  • Federal only — state and local estimated income taxes are not included.
  • The January 15, 2027 payment isn't required if you file your 2026 return and pay in full by February 1, 2027.

How this calculator works

We follow the 2026 Form 1040-ES Estimated Tax Worksheet: net profit × 92.35% is subject to self-employment tax (12.4% Social Security up to $184,500 + 2.9% Medicare, with 0.9% Additional Medicare above $200,000/$250,000). Half of SE tax, your deductions, and the Section 199A QBI deduction (20%, with 2026's phase-out thresholds) reduce taxable income, which flows through the 2026 rate schedules. The quarterly amount is the safe-harbor requirement — the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100–110% of last year's — split across the four due dates. Every figure comes from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 and the 2026 Form 1040-ES; see our methodology.

This estimates federal tax only. If your state has an income tax, it generally expects quarterly estimated payments too — check your state's rules. See how state tax would affect a W-2 paycheck with our paycheck calculator.

Quarterly tax FAQs

Who has to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

Generally, anyone who expects to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax after subtracting withholding — most commonly freelancers, contractors, and other self-employed people whose income has no employer withholding. If withholding from a W-2 job already covers at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% for higher incomes), no estimated payments are required.

What is the safe harbor rule?

You avoid underpayment penalties by paying, through the year, the smaller of 90% of your current-year tax or 100% of your prior-year tax (110% if your prior-year AGI was over $150,000, or $75,000 married filing separately). Many self-employed filers with rising income deliberately pay against last year's smaller tax bill and settle the difference at filing, penalty-free.

Why is self-employment tax so high?

Employees split Social Security and Medicare with their employer (7.65% each); self-employed people pay both halves — 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit (12.4% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base for 2026, plus 2.9% Medicare on everything). In partial compensation, half of the SE tax is deductible from income, and it applies before any standard deduction.

When are 2026 quarterly taxes due?

April 15, 2026; June 15, 2026; September 15, 2026; and January 15, 2027. The January payment can be skipped if you file your full 2026 return and pay the balance by February 1, 2027. Note the uneven spacing: the second payment covers only two months of income.

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