Free tool · by RevvFi

Quarterly Tax Estimator

Figure out what to set aside — and what to pay — for your 2026 federal quarterly estimated taxes. Four payment amounts, four due dates, and the safe-harbor minimum that keeps you penalty-free.

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$
+ W-2 wages, withholding, and extra deductions (optional, for a better estimate)
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$
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Set aside each quarter
$0.00
Enter your expected income to see your estimate

Your 2026 payment schedule

Federal payments only — state estimated taxes are separate, with their own amounts and due dates.

Q1Income Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2026Due April 15, 2026—
Q2Income Apr 1 – May 31, 2026Due June 15, 2026—
Q3Income Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2026Due September 15, 2026—
Q4Income Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2026Due January 15, 2027—

Stop guessing the number.

RevvFi tracks your income and write-offs all year and tells you what to set aside — so your quarterly payment is a number, not a guess. Every expense you track lowers it.

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How quarterly estimated taxes work

The US tax system is pay-as-you-go. Employees have tax withheld from every paycheck — but nobody withholds anything from 1099 income, so if you work for yourself, the IRS expects you to send money in yourself, four times a year. Generally you must make estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax after withholding and credits.

The four payment periods are uneven — Q2 covers only two months, Q4 covers four:

This estimator figures your full-year federal tax — self-employment tax plus income tax, using the same engine as our Self-Employment Tax Calculator — subtracts any W-2 withholding, and splits the rest into four equal payments.

The safe-harbor rule (what actually protects you)

You don't have to nail your estimate to avoid a penalty. The IRS won't charge an underpayment penalty if, through withholding and timely estimated payments, you pay at least the smaller of:

That prior-year option is the practical one: last year's tax is a number you already know, not a forecast. Pay a quarter of it each deadline and you're generally penalty-proof — even if your income jumps and you owe the rest next April. Enter last year's total tax above and the estimator shows your safe-harbor number.

Two fine points: payments have to be timely — catching up in Q4 doesn't erase a Q1 shortfall — and if your income is lumpy (a big season, a one-time contract), the annualized-income method on Form 2210 can lower what's due in the slow quarters. This tool doesn't model that.

Federal only — don't forget your state

Everything on this page is federal. Most states with an income tax require their own estimated payments, with different rates, thresholds, and sometimes different due dates. If you only pay the federal side, you can still be underpaid at the state level — check your state tax agency's rules.

How to actually pay

The easiest ways to send a federal estimated payment: IRS Direct Pay (free, from a bank account, no login required), your IRS Online Account, EFTPS, or mailing a check with a Form 1040-ES voucher. Pick "Estimated Tax" and tax year 2026 when you pay.

Estimate only — not tax advice. This calculator gives a simplified estimate of federal tax for tax year 2026 using current-year rates. It includes self-employment tax, the standard deduction, the half-SE-tax deduction, and the §199A QBI deduction. It does not model tax credits (such as the Child Tax Credit), the qualified-tips deduction, itemized deductions, other income (investments, capital gains, retirement), QBI phase-outs, the annualized-income method, or state and local taxes — so your actual tax and penalty position may differ. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.