Calculate your exact quarterly payment for each IRS deadline. Know the safe harbor rules and never pay an underpayment penalty.
Safe harbor rule: You avoid underpayment penalties by paying at least 100% of last year's tax (110% if income > $150,000), OR 90% of this year's expected tax — whichever is smaller.
📋 Your Tax Situation
$
$
$
$
$
Recommended Quarterly Payment
$0
Based on safe harbor method
Estimated Annual Tax
$0
This year estimate
Safe Harbor Amount
$0
Min to avoid penalty
Set Aside Monthly
$0
Recommended reserve
Effective Tax Rate
0%
Total tax ÷ gross income
2026 Payment Calendar
Q1 (Jan 1 – Mar 31) → due April 15, 2026—
Q2 (Apr 1 – May 31) → due June 16, 2026—
Q3 (Jun 1 – Aug 31) → due Sept 15, 2026—
Q4 (Sep 1 – Dec 31) → due Jan 15, 2027—
Less: W-2 withholding—
Net estimated payments needed—
Auto-calculate quarterly taxes all year
QuickBooks Self-Employed tracks income and deductions throughout the year and tells you exactly what to pay each quarter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the underpayment penalty and how do I avoid it? ▾
If you don't pay enough in estimated taxes throughout the year, the IRS charges an underpayment penalty equal to the federal short-term rate plus 3% (approximately 8% annualized in 2026). To avoid it: use the safe harbor rule — pay either 100% of last year's tax (110% if income > $150,000) or 90% of this year's expected tax, whichever is less. Most tax professionals recommend the prior-year method because it's predictable and protects you if income unexpectedly increases.
How do I pay quarterly estimated taxes? ▾
Pay online at IRS.gov using EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) — free, instant, and creates a payment record. You can also use IRS Direct Pay (no account required), mail a check with Form 1040-ES, or pay through tax software. Set up EFTPS well in advance — account setup takes about a week to process. Schedule payments at least a day before the deadline. Keep copies of all payment confirmations for your tax records.
What if my income is uneven throughout the year? ▾
If your business is seasonal or income varies significantly by quarter, you can use the 'annualized income installment method' (IRS Form 2210, Schedule AI) to calculate each quarter's payment based on actual income earned in that quarter, not an equal fourth of the annual estimate. This can significantly reduce required payments in low-income quarters. Ask your CPA about this method if you have significantly uneven income.