Who has to pay estimated taxes
If you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax for the year after subtracting withholding and credits, the IRS expects you to pay during the year instead of all at once in April. That applies to most freelancers, contractors, gig workers and creators, because no one withholds tax from their payments.
The four payment deadlines are April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the following year. When a date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day. Check the IRS estimated tax page each year for the exact dates.
Two ways to calculate a payment
The full-estimate method projects your total 2026 federal tax (self-employment tax plus income tax), subtracts anything already withheld, and divides by four. It aims to leave nothing due in April.
The safe-harbor method aims only to avoid the underpayment penalty. You generally avoid it by paying at least 90% of this year’s tax, or 100% of last year’s total tax (110% if last year’s adjusted gross income was above $150,000). Enter last year’s tax and the calculator uses whichever safe-harbor amount is lower. Paying the safe-harbor minimum can keep more cash in your pocket during the year, but you may still owe a balance when you file.
Tips for uneven income
If your income is lumpy, you can use the annualized income installment method (Form 2210, Schedule AI) so early quarters with little income do not force large payments. Many people simply pay more after strong months. Whatever you choose, moving a fixed percentage of every payment into a tax savings account makes each deadline easier to meet.
This estimate covers federal tax only. Most states with an income tax have their own estimated payment schedule, and the amounts and dates can differ.
A worked example: $80,000 of freelance profit
A single filer with $80,000 of net profit and no other income has an estimated 2026 federal total of about $18,830. Split evenly, that is about $4,708 per quarter. If you use the safe harbor of 90% of the current-year tax, the annual minimum is about $16,947, or roughly $4,237 per quarter.
The safe harbor is a floor that avoids the underpayment penalty, not a way to owe less. You still settle the full amount when you file, so set the difference aside as well.