Free tool
Quarterly estimated tax calculator
Figure out what to send the IRS each quarter so you do not get an underpayment penalty in April. Enter expected profit for the year; optionally add last year's tax to see the safe harbor amount.
Federal figures for tax year 2026: self-employment tax of 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit (12.4% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base, 2.9% Medicare), half of self-employment tax deducted from income, standard deduction of $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household, the 20% qualified business income deduction, and 2026 federal brackets. State income tax is not included. Estimates only; confirm with a tax professional. Figures should be verified against the final IRS inflation adjustments before relying on them.
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FAQ
Questions, answered
Who has to pay quarterly estimated taxes?
Anyone who expects to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax after withholding and credits. For most freelancers and business owners with no W-2 job, that means you.
What is the safe harbor?
If your four payments add up to at least 100% of last year's total tax (110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000), you will not owe an underpayment penalty even if you end up owing more in April. It is the easy way to pay when income is unpredictable.
What if my income is uneven across the year?
You can pay based on actual profit each quarter (the annualized method) instead of four equal payments. Keeping your books current in ProfitBooks makes that easy: run the profit and loss for the quarter and use the number.
Do I pay state estimates too?
Most states with an income tax require quarterly estimates on the same or similar dates. Check your state's department of revenue.
Stop estimating. Know your real numbers.
Upload your bank statements and ProfitBooks builds the profit and loss these calculators are guessing at. 100 free credits to start, $20 a month, billed annually, after that.