Your Income Details
Total 1099/freelance income you expect to earn this year, before expenses.
Deductible business expenses (supplies, software, travel, etc.).
Your Quarterly Estimate
Q1: April 15 | Q2: June 15 | Q3: Sept 15 | Q4: Jan 15, 2027
How Quarterly Estimated Taxes Work
Unlike W-2 employees who have taxes withheld from every paycheck, freelancers and self-employed workers must pay taxes throughout the year in four installments. The IRS requires estimated quarterly payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes when you file your return.
Each quarterly payment covers both your income tax and self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare). The simplest approach is to estimate your total annual tax liability, subtract any withholding from other jobs, and divide the remainder by four.
Avoiding Underpayment Penalties
To avoid penalties, you generally need to pay either 90% of your current year's tax liability or 100% of last year's tax (110% if your AGI was above $150,000). If your income varies throughout the year, you can use the annualized income installment method on Form 2210.
What Counts as Self-Employment Income?
Any income you receive as an independent contractor or freelancer counts, including 1099-NEC forms, 1099-K payments, and cash payments for services. Use our 1099 Income Tax Calculator to estimate the total tax on this income, or our Home Office Deduction Calculator to reduce your taxable income.