Quarterly estimated tax calculator for 2026

Self-employed, freelance or 1099? Enter what you expect to make this year and see your self-employment tax, income tax, the safe-harbor amount that avoids a penalty, and what to pay by each due date. Free, no sign-up, nothing leaves your browser.

Federal tax only, using the IRS's 2026 Form 1040-ES figures. An estimate, not tax advice.

Figures last checked Oct 29, 2026 on irs.gov.

Your 2026 income

Filing status

Self-employment profit

What you expect to earn for all of 2026 from freelance, 1099 or business work, after business expenses (Schedule C net profit).

Your W-2 wages, if any

Other taxable income

Other income means interest, dividends, rentals and the like (both of you, if married filing jointly). Spouses' wages are entered separately because the Social Security limit on self-employment tax is per person.

Deductions and credits (optional)

SEP, solo 401(k) and self-employed health insurance

Itemized deductions

Leave blank to use the standard deduction. We use whichever is bigger.

Other deductions

HSA, student loan interest, or the new tips, overtime, car loan or senior deductions.

Tax credits

For example the child tax credit.

What you've paid and last year's tax

Federal tax withheld from paychecks in 2026

For the whole year, including what's still to come.

2026 estimated payments already made

Your 2025 total tax

Line 24 of your 2025 Form 1040, less any refundable credits. Leave blank if you didn't file for 2025.

My 2025 AGI was over $150,000

Then the safe harbor is 110% of your 2025 tax instead of 100%.

2026 estimated tax due dates

1st payment: April 15, 2026
2nd payment: June 15, 2026
3rd payment: September 15, 2026
4th payment: January 15, 2027

You can skip the January payment if you file your 2026 return by February 1, 2027 and pay the whole balance with it.

How the safe harbor works

You won't owe an underpayment penalty if your withholding and on-time estimated payments add up to the smaller of 90% of your 2026 tax or 100% of your 2025 tax (110% if your 2025 adjusted gross income was over $150,000, or $75,000 if married filing separately). You also don't need to make estimated payments if you'll owe less than $1,000 after withholding.

How self-employment tax is figured

Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit: 12.4% for Social Security, on up to $184,500 of combined wages and self-employment earnings in 2026, and 2.9% for Medicare on all of it. Half of it is deducted when figuring your income tax. Above $200,000 ($250,000 married filing jointly, $125,000 married filing separately) an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies.

What this calculator leaves out

State income tax, the alternative minimum tax, the Net Investment Income Tax and lower rates on qualified dividends and long-term capital gains. The qualified business income deduction is included only below the 2026 income limit where the simple 20% rule applies. For anything unusual, check IRS Publication 505 or a tax professional.