Business & Freelance tool

Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator

Freelancers and sole proprietors do not have an employer withholding their taxes, so the IRS expects four equal estimated payments a year. The Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator takes the net self-employment income, applies the standard deduction, computes income tax on the rest and adds self-employment tax, then divides the result into four equal payments.

It is a planning tool. The actual amount depends on deductions, credits and filing status; use this to size each payment and avoid the underpayment penalty. For a final number, work with an accountant or tax software.
Calculator

Formula used

SE tax = net × 0.9235 × 0.153 · Federal = (taxable − standard deduction) × bracket

How to use the Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator

  1. Enter the expected net self-employment income for the year.
  2. Add any other taxable income (interest, dividends, spouse's wages if relevant).
  3. Pick the filing status and how much you have already paid.
  4. Read the per-quarter payment and the four due dates.

About this tool

The Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator is built for speed and accuracy: every calculation runs in your browser, so your data never leaves your device and the result updates as you type. It works equally well on a phone, a tablet or a desktop, and it is free to use as many times as you like.

Common use cases

  • Sizing the first quarterly payment as a new freelancer.
  • Checking whether to bump a quarterly payment up or down.
  • Estimating the safe-harbor amount to avoid the underpayment penalty.
  • Planning cash flow for a self-employed year.

Tips for the best result

  • Use the latest figures you have - even a small change in rate or term can shift the outcome by hundreds.
  • For annual figures, divide by 12 to get a monthly number you can compare with the result.
  • Bookmark this page and revisit the calculation as the inputs change.

Frequently asked questions

When are the due dates?

April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the following year. Missing a date triggers interest on the underpayment.

What counts as self-employment income?

Net earnings from a sole proprietorship, single-member LLC, freelance work or any 1099 income. Salaries with withholding do not need quarterly payments.