Free Calculator

Freelancer Quarterly Estimated Tax

Estimate your federal quarterly payment in seconds. Combines self-employment tax, federal income tax, and the QBI deduction. Built for freelancers, consultants, and 1099 contractors.

Filing Status

Expected Net SE Income (revenue minus expenses)

Other Taxable Income (W-2 wages, interest, dividends)

Retirement Contributions (Solo 401(k), SEP, Trad. IRA)

Pre-tax contributions reduce AGI. Solo 401(k) cap is $70,000 in 2026 (plus catch-ups).

Federal Tax Already Withheld (from W-2 etc.)

Prior-Year Total Federal Tax (for safe harbor)

Optional. Used to compute the prior-year safe harbor (100%, or 110% if AGI > $150K).

Include 20% QBI deduction (Section 199A)

Estimated Quarterly Federal Payment

$5,642

To pay current-year tax in equal installments.

Self-Employment Tax: $14,130
Federal Income Tax: $8,437
QBI Deduction: $15,367
Retirement Deduction: $0
Adjusted Gross Income: $92,935
Taxable Income: $61,468
Total Federal Tax (annual): $22,567

Quarterly Payment Schedule

Q1: April 15, 2026$5,642
Q2: June 15, 2026$5,642
Q3: September 15, 2026$5,642
Q4: January 15, 2027$5,642

Safe-Harbor Recommendation

To avoid IRC Section 6654 underpayment penalties, pay at least 90% of current-year tax through withholding plus estimates.

Suggested quarterly$5,077

Total safe-harbor remaining for the year: $20,310 (enter prior-year tax for the lower calculation).

Important: estimates only, not tax advice

These calculators provide directional estimates for planning purposes only and use simplified assumptions. They do not constitute tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice and should not be relied upon for filing or business decisions.

Real tax outcomes depend on factors not modeled here, including state and local income tax, the Net Investment Income Tax (3.8% NIIT), the Additional Medicare Tax, alternative minimum tax (AMT) carryovers and credits, prior-year basis and loss carryforwards, retirement and HSA contributions, child and dependent credits, education credits, multi-state filing rules, foreign income, and entity-level elections.

Figures shown reflect 2026 federal rates, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) where applicable, and IRS-published inflation adjustments. Tax law and IRS guidance change frequently and small input changes can produce materially different results. Always confirm with a licensed CPA before making decisions based on these results.

For a complete tax projection tied to your specific situation, get a free quote from TS CPA.

Quarterly Estimated Tax for the Self-Employed

Anyone earning income that is not subject to withholding (1099 contractors, sole proprietors, partners, S-Corp shareholders with distributions, landlords) is generally required to pay federal tax in quarterly installments to avoid underpayment penalties under IRC Section 6654.

The safe harbor is paying 90% of current-year tax or 100% (110% if AGI exceeds $150K) of prior-year tax through withholding plus estimates. Estimates are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. State estimates run on similar schedules with state-specific rules.

For uneven income (e.g., year-end consulting bonuses), the annualized installment method on Form 2210 lets you base each quarter’s payment on actual cumulative income through that quarter. This avoids penalties when income is back-loaded.

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