Quarterly Estimated Tax Deadlines 2026 (and What to Pay)

Short answer: the 2026 federal quarterly estimated tax due dates are April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, plan to pay each quarter (a rule of thumb is 25 to 30 percent of net profit, split into four). Estimate yours with the quarterly tax calculator.

The 2026 due dates

Quarter	Income earned	Payment due
Q1	January 1 to March 31, 2026	April 15, 2026
Q2	April 1 to May 31, 2026	June 15, 2026
Q3	June 1 to August 31, 2026	September 15, 2026
Q4	September 1 to December 31, 2026	January 15, 2027

The periods are uneven on purpose, so the dates are not exactly three months apart. If a deadline lands on a weekend or federal holiday, it shifts to the next business day.

How much to pay each quarter

Estimate your total federal tax for the year, which is self-employment tax (15.3 percent on 92.35 percent of net profit) plus income tax on what is left after the standard deduction. Subtract any withholding, then divide the remainder by four. For many 1099 workers each payment lands near a quarter to a third of net profit. Move that money into a separate account as you get paid so it is always there.

The safe-harbor rule (avoid penalties)

You avoid an underpayment penalty if you pay the smaller of 90 percent of this year's tax or 100 percent of last year's tax (110 percent if your prior-year adjusted gross income was over $150,000). Paying to last year's number is the simplest safe harbor because you already know it.

How to pay

The easiest way is online through IRS Direct Pay (from your bank account, no fee) or EFTPS. You can also mail a check with a Form 1040-ES voucher. Do not forget state estimated payments if your state has an income tax. The lower your net profit, the lower each payment, so tracking every deductible receipt and mile shrinks what you owe.

Never get surprised in April. NeoReceipt tracks your deductions all year so your quarterly estimates stay accurate and low.

Try NeoReceipt free

Frequently asked questions

When are quarterly estimated taxes due in 2026?+

The four federal due dates for the 2026 tax year are April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. If a date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day.

How much should I pay each quarter?+

Estimate your total tax for the year (self-employment tax of 15.3% plus federal income tax on net profit), subtract any withholding, and divide by four. For many 1099 workers that lands near 25 to 30 percent of net profit, split into four payments. The quarterly tax calculator does this for you.

Who has to make estimated payments?+

Generally anyone who expects to owe $1,000 or more for the year after withholding, which includes most freelancers, 1099 contractors, and gig workers. If all your income is a W-2 with enough withheld, you usually do not need to.

What happens if I miss a quarterly deadline?+

The IRS charges an underpayment penalty, which works like interest on what you should have paid for that period. It is usually small, but grows the longer it goes unpaid, so pay as soon as you can rather than waiting until April.

Can I just pay it all at the end of the year?+

You can, but you may owe an underpayment penalty for not paying as you earned. Paying quarterly (or increasing withholding at a W-2 job) avoids it. The safe-harbor rule protects you if you pay enough during the year.

Trusted by 1099 workers

Stay ahead of every deadline

See how freelancers keep their quarterly taxes accurate and low.

NeoReceipt saved me during tax season. As a freelance graphic designer, I had receipts scattered across emails and folders. In just three months, NeoReceipt automatically categorized over 400 receipts and helped me identify nearly $2,300 in deductible expenses I would have otherwise missed.

SMSarah MitchellFreelance Graphic Designer

I drive for Uber and DoorDash full-time, and tracking gas and maintenance receipts was a nightmare. After switching to NeoReceipt, I reduced my bookkeeping time from 4 hours a week to less than 20 minutes and had every expense ready for my accountant.

JRJames RodriguezRideshare Driver

As a real estate agent, I'm constantly on the road and collecting receipts from multiple vendors. NeoReceipt helped me recover over $4,100 in business deductions last year by ensuring nothing slipped through the cracks.

JPJessica ParkerReal Estate Agent

Reviews from early NeoReceipt users. Individual results vary.