Quarterly Tax Calculator
Calculate quarterly estimated tax payments for self-employment, freelance income, or other untaxed earnings. Avoid penalties by paying enough throughout the year.
Quarterly Payment Due Dates
| Quarter | Payment Period | Due Date | Q1Jan 1 - Mar 31April 15 Q2Apr 1 - May 31June 15 Q3Jun 1 - Aug 31September 15 | Q4 | Sep 1 - Dec 31 | January 15 (next year) |
*If due date falls on weekend/holiday, payment is due next business day*
Who Must Pay Quarterly
You must make estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000+ in taxes after subtracting withholding and credits. This typically includes:
- Self-employed individuals
- Freelancers and gig workers
- Landlords with rental income
- Investors with significant capital gains
- Retirees without adequate withholding
Quarterly Tax Calculator
``javascript
function calculateQuarterlyTax(annualIncome, businessExpenses = 0, withholding = 0) {
const netIncome = annualIncome - businessExpenses;
// Self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net)
const seTaxableIncome = netIncome * 0.9235;
const selfEmploymentTax = seTaxableIncome * 0.153;
// Income tax (after SE deduction)
const seDeduction = selfEmploymentTax / 2;
const agi = netIncome - seDeduction;
const standardDeduction = 14600;
const taxableIncome = Math.max(0, agi - standardDeduction);
const incomeTax = calculateFederalTax(taxableIncome);
// Total annual tax
const totalTax = selfEmploymentTax + incomeTax;
const afterWithholding = totalTax - withholding;
return {
annualTax: totalTax.toFixed(2),
selfEmploymentTax: selfEmploymentTax.toFixed(2),
incomeTax: incomeTax.toFixed(2),
quarterlyPayment: (afterWithholding / 4).toFixed(2)
};
}
``
Safe Harbor Rules
| Method | Requirement | 100% prior yearPay 100% of last year's tax (110% if AGI > $150k) 90% current yearPay 90% of this year's tax | No penalty threshold | Owe less than $1,000 |
Meeting either safe harbor avoids underpayment penalties regardless of actual tax owed.