Free Quarterly Tax Calculator for Freelancers & Creators

The U.S. tax system is pay-as-you-go. Freelancers, creators, and independent contractors don't have taxes withheld from their paychecks, so the IRS expects them to estimate their income tax plus self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) and pay it four times a year using Form 1040-ES. This calculator gives you a planning estimate of those quarterly payments.

Estimated tax payments are generally due on April 15 (Q1), June 15 (Q2), September 15 (Q3), and January 15 of the following year (Q4). If a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

The IRS can charge an underpayment penalty on the difference between what you paid and what you owed, even if you settle up by the April filing deadline. You can generally avoid the penalty by paying at least 90% of your current-year tax liability — or by meeting the safe harbor rule below — through withholding or quarterly estimated payments.

The safe harbor lets you avoid the underpayment penalty by paying at least 100% of your prior-year tax liability (110% if your prior-year adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000), no matter how much you actually owe this year. That's why this calculator asks for last year's tax paid — it shows whether your projected payments clear the safe harbor target.