Loading your tools...
Loading your tools...
Calculate quarterly estimated tax payments for freelancers, contractors, and self-employed workers. Get safe harbor analysis, SE tax breakdown, and a complete payment schedule for the 2026 tax year.
Loading Tool...
Enter Income: Input your expected annual 1099 income and filing status. Optionally add W-2 income if you have mixed income sources.
Add Deductions: Enter total business deductions and optional retirement contributions (SEP-IRA, Solo 401k) to reduce your taxable income.
Prior Year Info: Enter last year's total tax and AGI from your Form 1040 — this enables safe harbor calculation to protect you from penalties.
Get Results: View your quarterly payment schedule, full tax breakdown, what-if scenarios, and step-by-step calculation trace.
Freelancers & Contractors: Designers, developers, writers, and consultants earning 1099-NEC income can estimate quarterly payments before each IRS deadline.
Gig Workers: Rideshare drivers, delivery workers, and marketplace sellers with variable income can use custom quarterly distribution to plan payments accurately.
Side Hustlers: W-2 employees with additional 1099 income can calculate how much extra estimated tax to pay after accounting for employer withholding.
Self-Employed Business Owners: Sole proprietors can optimize tax liability by modeling retirement contributions and business deductions before making quarterly payments.
This quarterly tax estimator is built using current IRS guidelines, including Publication 505 (Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax), Form 1040-ES instructions, and the latest 2026 tax brackets from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11. Every formula is transparent — click "Show My Math" to see how your estimate is calculated step by step.
Sources: IRS Publication 505 | Form 1040-ES | Revenue Procedure 2025-11
Tax Year: 2026 (brackets and deductions updated for inflation adjustments)
Last Updated: February 27, 2026 | Verify final numbers with the IRS or a tax professional before filing.
The IRS safe harbor rule protects you from underpayment penalties if you pay enough estimated tax during the year. There are two methods to meet safe harbor — our calculator automatically compares both and recommends the one that saves you the most money.
Required = Current Year Tax × 90%
Pay at least 90% of your estimated 2026 tax liability. Best when you expect lower income than last year.
Required = Prior Year Tax × 100% (or 110%)
Pay 100% of last year's tax (110% if your AGI exceeded $150,000). Best when income is rising.
| Quarter | Income Period | Due Date | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2026 | 1040-ES |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 15, 2026 | 1040-ES |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 15, 2026 | 1040-ES |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2027 | 1040-ES |
If a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Pay via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS.
SE Tax Base = Net SE Income × 92.35%
Social Security = min(SE Tax Base, $176,100) × 12.4%
Medicare = SE Tax Base × 2.9%
Total SE Tax = Social Security + Medicare
The 92.35% multiplier (100% − 7.65%) accounts for the employer-equivalent portion of FICA taxes. You can deduct half of your SE tax from your adjusted gross income.
0.9% on combined income above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ)
This surtax applies to high earners and is calculated on combined W-2 wages plus SE income exceeding the threshold for your filing status.
| Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 | $0 – $23,850 | $0 – $17,000 |
| 12% | $11,926 – $48,475 | $23,851 – $96,950 | $17,001 – $64,850 |
| 22% | $48,476 – $103,350 | $96,951 – $206,700 | $64,851 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 | $206,701 – $394,600 | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,525 | $394,601 – $501,050 | $197,301 – $250,500 |
| 35% | $250,526 – $626,350 | $501,051 – $751,600 | $250,501 – $626,350 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 | Over $751,600 | Over $626,350 |
Standard deductions for 2026: $15,000 (Single/MFS), $30,000 (Married Filing Jointly), $22,500 (Head of Household). Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-11.
The IRS requires you to pay estimated taxes if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax after subtracting withholding and credits. This applies to most self-employed individuals, freelancers, and contractors who receive 1099 income.
Designers, developers, writers, marketers, and other professionals receiving 1099-NEC income
Rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft), delivery workers (DoorDash, Instacart), and marketplace sellers
Construction, healthcare, legal, and other contract workers not on a company payroll
W-2 employees with additional freelance, rental, or investment income exceeding $1,000 in tax
| Feature | FastTools | TurboTax | Keeper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free to use (no account) | — | ||
| Safe harbor analysis | — | — | |
| Show calculation steps | — | — | |
| W-2 + 1099 mixed income | |||
| Retirement contribution impact | — | — | |
| What-if scenarios | — | — | |
| Custom quarterly distribution | — | — | |
| Export/download results | — | — | |
| QBI deduction included |
Simplified method: $5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft ($1,500 max). Regular method: actual expenses pro-rated by office percentage.
Standard mileage rate: 67¢ per business mile for 2026. Track mileage logs with a smartphone app for IRS compliance.
Self-employed individuals can deduct 100% of health, dental, and long-term care insurance premiums above-the-line.
SEP-IRA (up to 25% of net SE income), Solo 401(k) ($23,500 employee + 25% employer), or Traditional IRA ($7,000).
Business software, cloud services, project management tools, and professional subscriptions are fully deductible.
Accountant fees, legal counsel, and business consulting are deductible as ordinary business expenses.
Income split equally: 25% per quarter. Click "Customize" for uneven income.
Also have W-2 income? (optional)