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Freelance Quarterly Tax Estimator
Estimate your IRS quarterly payments as a 1099 freelancer or self-employed individual.
✅ 2026 Tax Year
📝 Your Income & Situation
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$
Software, equipment, home office, subscriptions, travel.
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$
📊 2026 Tax Estimate
PAY EACH QUARTER
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Apr 15 · Jun 15 · Sep 15 · Jan 15, 2027
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Net Profit
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SE Tax (15.3%)
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Federal Income Tax
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Effective Rate
💡 Key InsightEnter your income above to see your estimate.
How Freelance Taxes Are Calculated
Self-employed individuals pay two layers of federal tax: self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) and regular income tax. No employer withholds for you — hence quarterly payments.
Net Profit = Gross Revenue − Business Expenses
SE Tax = Net Profit × 0.9235 × 15.3%
SE Deduction = SE Tax ÷ 2 (deductible)
Taxable Income = Net Profit − SE Deduction − Standard Deduction − Retirement
Quarterly Payment = (SE Tax + Federal Tax) ÷ 4
SE Tax = Net Profit × 0.9235 × 15.3%
SE Deduction = SE Tax ÷ 2 (deductible)
Taxable Income = Net Profit − SE Deduction − Standard Deduction − Retirement
Quarterly Payment = (SE Tax + Federal Tax) ÷ 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must pay quarterly taxes? ▼
Anyone who expects to owe $1,000+ in federal taxes and whose withholding covers less than 90% of their tax liability. This applies to freelancers, contractors, and sole proprietors.
What is the self-employment tax rate? ▼
15.3% — 12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare — applied to 92.35% of net earnings. You can deduct half of SE taxes paid when calculating income tax, which this calculator handles automatically.
How do I actually pay the IRS? ▼
Use IRS Direct Pay at irs.gov/payments — free, no account required. You can also use EFTPS for scheduled payments, or mail a check with Form 1040-ES vouchers.
What if I miss a quarterly payment? ▼
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty (around 8% annualized) on the shortfall per quarter. It's not catastrophic but worth avoiding by paying each quarter on time.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Estimated figures for educational use only. Not tax advice. Consult a CPA for your specific situation.