← Guides · November 4, 2026
Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Freelancers: Dates, Amounts and Penalties
If you earn freelance income, the IRS wants its share during the year, not just in April. That is what quarterly estimated taxes are for.
Do you need to pay them?
You generally must make estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file, after subtracting any withholding from a W-2 job. Most full-time freelancers cross that line in their first year.
2026 tax year due dates
| Payment | Covers income earned | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 15, 2026 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2027 |
When a date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
How much to pay: the safe-harbor rule
You will not owe an underpayment penalty if your four payments add up to at least:
- 100% of last year’s total tax, or
- 110% if last year’s adjusted gross income was above $150,000, or
- 90% of this year’s tax.
The first option is the easiest when income is growing: you pay a known amount and settle the rest in April without a penalty.
If this is your first freelance year, estimate this year’s tax instead. The calculator divides it into four equal payments.
How to pay
- IRS Direct Pay: free, from your bank account, no sign-up. Choose “Estimated Tax” and “1040-ES”.
- EFTPS: free, lets you schedule all four payments in advance.
- Your IRS online account: shows every payment you have made.
Keep the confirmation numbers. You will report the total on your Form 1040.
Missed a payment?
Pay as soon as you can. The penalty works like interest on the late amount, so a payment that is a few weeks late costs little. Ignoring it until April costs more.