Tool
Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator (2026)
Self-employed LLC owners pay quarterly — miss a payment and the IRS underpayment penalty is currently ~8% annualized. Calculate yours.
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Quick Answer: You must pay quarterly estimated tax if you expect to owe $1,000+ after withholding — which covers most LLC owners and freelancers. 2026 federal due dates are April 15, June 16, September 15, and January 15, 2027. Avoid the ~8% underpayment penalty by hitting the safe harbor: 90% of this year’s tax, or 100% of last year’s (110% if AGI > $150k). BeginPulse’s free calculator estimates your federal + SE payments and all four due dates.
Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator (2026)
Self-employed LLC owners owe federal and state taxes four times a year, not just at filing. Skip a payment and the IRS underpayment penalty is currently ~8% annualized. This calculator estimates how much to send each quarter to stay penalty-safe.
Total annual tax estimated: $21,236. Safe-harbor (90% of current year) per quarter ≈ $4,778.
2026 IRS quarterly due dates
| Period | Due | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan 1 – Mar 31) | April 15, 2026 | $5,309 |
| Q2 (Apr 1 – May 31) | June 15, 2026 | $5,309 |
| Q3 (Jun 1 – Aug 31) | September 15, 2026 | $5,309 |
| Q4 (Sep 1 – Dec 31) | January 15, 2027 | $5,309 |
How to actually pay
- Federal: IRS Direct Pay (irs.gov/payments) or EFTPS — free, instant.
- State: Most state Department of Revenue portals (each state's own e-file system).
- Form 1040-ES: The federal estimated tax voucher; required only if mailing a check.
- Safe harbor: Pay either 90% of current-year tax or 100%/110% of last year's tax — whichever is smaller — to avoid penalty.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to pay quarterly estimated tax?
Anyone who expects to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax after withholding for the year. That includes most LLC owners, freelancers, contractors, and S-Corp owner-employees whose W-2 withholding does not cover the full tax burden.
What are the 2026 quarterly due dates?
Q1: April 15, 2026 (covers Jan–Mar income). Q2: June 16, 2026 (covers Apr–May). Q3: September 15, 2026 (covers Jun–Aug). Q4: January 15, 2027 (covers Sep–Dec). If a date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day.
What is the safe harbor rule?
You avoid the IRS underpayment penalty if your withholding + estimated payments cover either (a) 90% of your current-year tax, or (b) 100% of your prior-year tax (110% if AGI > $150k). Paying based on prior year is the simplest safe harbor for variable income.
What is the underpayment penalty rate?
The penalty is set quarterly by the IRS based on the federal short-term rate + 3%. For 2026 it is currently around 8% annualized — meaningful enough that missing a payment usually costs more than the cash-flow benefit.
Does this calculator cover state estimated tax?
It estimates federal + SE tax. State quarterly tax has its own forms and due dates (which mostly match federal but with exceptions). Use our Multi-State Allocation calculator for state-level apportionment, and check your state DOR site for state Form 1040-ES equivalents.