Estimated Quarterly Tax Calculator (US)
Calculate IRS estimated quarterly tax payments.
Enter income, deductions, and prior year tax to find quarterly amounts due and avoid underpayment penalties.
IRS Estimated Quarterly Tax Payments
If you receive income that is not subject to withholding — freelance income, self-employment, rental income, dividends, or capital gains — you are generally required to make estimated tax payments four times per year. Missing or underpaying these can result in an IRS penalty.
2024 Payment Due Dates:
| Quarter | Covers | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 17 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 16 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15 (next year) |
Safe Harbor Rules — how to avoid penalties:
You are safe from underpayment penalties if you pay the lesser of:
- 90% of your current year’s total tax liability, OR
- 100% of your prior year’s total tax liability (110% if prior year AGI > $150,000)
Meeting either condition means no penalty, even if you still owe at filing.
What to include in estimated payments:
- Federal income tax on all non-withheld income
- Self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net SE income)
- Less: any withholding from W-2 jobs or other sources
Total Estimated Tax = Expected Tax Liability - Withholding
Quarterly Payment = Total Estimated Tax / 4
Tracking income through the year: Keep records of all income sources quarterly. If income varies significantly, you can use the annualized income installment method (IRS Schedule AI) to calculate each quarter separately and avoid overpaying early in the year.
State estimated taxes: Most states also require estimated payments if you owe more than $500–$1,000 in state tax. Check your state revenue agency for specific rules and due dates.