Estimated Quarterly Taxes for the Self-Employed: Who Pays, When, and How Much
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How we wrote this: A summary of IRS pages and Publication 505 for tax year 2026 (linked below). It is general information, not tax advice. State estimated-tax rules are separate. Ask a tax professional about your situation.
When you work for yourself, nobody withholds tax from your pay. The IRS expects you to pay as you go through estimated tax payments, usually four times a year. Paying late or too little can bring a penalty, even if you end up getting a refund.
Who has to pay
Per the IRS estimated taxes page:
- Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners and S corporation shareholders, generally must pay estimated tax if they expect to owe $1,000 or more when they file.
- Corporations generally must pay if they expect to owe $500 or more.
- It isn't only for the self-employed. The same IRS page says that if withholding from a salary or pension isn't enough, or you receive income such as interest, dividends, alimony, capital gains, prizes and awards, you may have to make estimated payments.
- You don't have to pay for the current year if you had no tax liability for the prior year, were a U.S. citizen or resident for the whole year, and that prior year covered 12 months.
Estimated tax covers more than income tax. It also covers self-employment tax, which the IRS self-employment tax page puts at 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. It generally applies once net earnings from self-employment reach $400. You can deduct the employer-equivalent half when figuring adjusted gross income.
If you also have a job, the IRS notes you can avoid or reduce estimated payments by asking your employer to withhold more on a new Form W-4.
2026 due dates
From Publication 505, for calendar-year taxpayers:
| Income earned | Payment due |
|---|---|
| Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
| Apr. 1 – May 31, 2026 | June 15, 2026 |
| Jun. 1 – Aug. 31, 2026 | Sept. 15, 2026 |
| Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
The periods aren't equal quarters: the second covers only two months. If a due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the payment is on time on the next business day. Pub. 505 adds that if you file your 2026 return by January 31, 2027 and pay the rest of what you owe, you can skip the January 15 payment.
How much: the safe harbors
The IRS says most people avoid the underpayment penalty if they owe less than $1,000 after withholding and credits, or if they paid at least the smaller of:
- 90% of the tax for the current year, or
- 100% of the tax shown on the prior year's return.
Publication 505 raises the prior-year figure to 110% if your prior-year adjusted gross income was more than $150,000 ($75,000 if married filing separately). Different rules apply to farmers and fishermen.
Paying 100% (or 110%) of last year's tax in four equal parts is the simplest approach when your income is growing, because the target is known in advance. If your income is uneven, the IRS says annualizing your income and making unequal payments may lower or avoid the penalty (Form 2210).
Figure it and pay it
- Figure it with the worksheet in Form 1040-ES. The IRS suggests starting from last year's return. If your income changes, redo the worksheet for the next payment.
- Pay online, by phone, through the IRS app, through your IRS online account, or by mail with a 1040-ES voucher. Businesses can use their business tax account or Direct Pay for businesses; some payments still go through EFTPS. You can also pay weekly or monthly, as long as enough is in by each due date.
Keep it organized
Setting aside a share of each payment you receive in a separate account makes the quarterly dates less painful. If you work from home, our home office deduction guide covers a deduction that can lower the tax you're estimating. Keep payment confirmations with your tax records; see how long to keep business records.