Your estimate
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This is an estimate, not a tax calculation you can file with. It uses US federal figures for the 2026 tax year from the IRS and leaves out many items, listed below. Use tax software or a tax professional for your actual return.
How it works
We estimate self-employment tax, then income tax on your income minus half of the self-employment tax and the standard deduction, using 2026 federal brackets as an estimate. The required annual payment is the smaller of 90% of this year's estimated tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% at higher incomes), if you enter last year's tax. We subtract withholding and divide by four.
| Payment for the 2027 tax year | Due date (IRS) |
|---|---|
| 1st | April 15, 2027 |
| 2nd | June 15, 2027 |
| 3rd | September 15, 2027 |
| 4th | January 2028 (set in the IRS 2028 calendar) |
Not included: the qualified business income deduction, credits, capital gains and state estimated taxes. 2027 brackets are not published yet, so 2026 figures are used. See the self-employed tax guide.
FAQ
Who has to pay estimated tax?
Generally, people who expect to owe $1,000 or more when they file, for example freelancers without withholding.
What is the safe harbor?
You generally avoid an underpayment penalty by paying the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000).
Can I pay more in some quarters?
Yes. If your income is uneven, the annualized income method may lower early payments; tax software can calculate it.
Not advice: General information only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Consult a qualified tax professional. We may earn a commission from some links on this site; it never affects our scores or this content. Read our affiliate disclosure.