Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator 2026
If you earn income with no withholding — freelancing, consulting, gig apps — the IRS wants its cut four times a year. This calculator combines your 2026 income tax and self-employment tax and splits the total into quarterly payments.
- Total annual tax
- $18,830.24
- Federal income tax portion
- $7,526.60
- Self-employment tax portion
- $11,303.64
How this calculator works
- Self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of profit) is computed first; half of it is deducted before running your income through the federal brackets and standard deduction.
- The combined total is divided by four. Due dates for 2026 income: April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027.
- State estimated taxes are separate and not included here.
Frequently asked questions
What if my income is uneven through the year?
You can annualize: pay more in strong quarters and less in weak ones using Form 2210 Schedule AI, instead of four equal payments.
What's the safe-harbor rule?
No underpayment penalty if you pay at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if your AGI was over $150k) through withholding and estimates.
How do I actually pay?
IRS Direct Pay or your IRS Online Account are free and instant; EFTPS works well for recurring payments. Keep confirmations for your records.
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Disclaimer: Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules are simplified (credits, phase-outs, and local taxes may not be modeled). Verify important decisions with the IRS, your state tax authority, or a licensed professional.