Calculate your four 2026 quarterly estimated tax payments using the safe harbor method or current-year projection. Avoid underpayment penalties with the right payment schedule.
Enter Your Tax Information
Calculates 2026 quarterly payments due April–January
Safe Harbor Method
Choose your calculation method. Safe Harbor guarantees no penalty regardless of current-year income.
2025 Tax Return (Prior Year)
2025 Total Tax Liability Line 24 of your 2025 Form 1040
$
2025 AGI Line 11 of 2025 Form 1040
$
Filing Status
Tax Already Withheld in 2026 W-2 withholding YTD
$
2026 Income Projection
Expected W-2 / Wages
$
Expected Self-Employment Income (Net)
$
Other Income (interest, dividends, rental)
$
Filing Status
Expected W-2 Withholding
$
📊 Safe Harbor Method
Q1 2026
$0
Due Apr 15, 2026
Past Due
Q2 2026
$0
Due Jun 16, 2026
Coming Up
Q3 2026
$0
Due Sep 15, 2026
Future
Q4 2026
$0
Due Jan 15, 2027
Future
Annual Payment Summary
Total Tax Liability—
W-2 Withholding (est.)—
Total Estimated Payments—
Balance Due / (Refund)—
Each Quarterly Payment—
Underpayment Penalty Status
✅ Safe Harbor Satisfied
Paying these amounts guarantees no underpayment penalty, regardless of your actual 2026 tax liability.
How Quarterly Estimated Taxes Work
Who Needs to Pay?
You generally must make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax after subtracting withholding and credits. This applies to self-employed individuals, freelancers, investors with capital gains, and anyone with non-wage income.
Safe Harbor Rule
Pay 100% of prior year tax (or 110% if prior year AGI exceeded $150,000) in four equal installments. If you meet safe harbor, the IRS cannot assess an underpayment penalty — even if you owe more at filing time.
Q2 Is Shorter Than You Think
The "second quarter" covers only April 1–May 31, not the full three months. That's why Q2 is due June 15 despite covering just two months. Plan accordingly if your income is seasonal.
How to Pay
Use IRS Direct Pay (free, no fee) at irs.gov/payments, or mail Form 1040-ES vouchers with a check. You can also pay via EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) — recommended for regular filers.
📅 2026 Payment Deadlines
Q1 (Jan 1–Mar 31)Apr 15, 2026
Q2 (Apr 1–May 31)Jun 16, 2026
Q3 (Jun 1–Aug 31)Sep 15, 2026
Q4 (Sep 1–Dec 31)Jan 15, 2027
Safe Harbor (AGI ≤$150k)100% prior year
Safe Harbor (AGI >$150k)110% prior year
Penalty Rate (2026)8% (approx.)
Min. owed to require payment$1,000
💡 Estimated Payment Tips
🏦
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay — free, immediate confirmation, no paper forms needed.
📱
Set calendar reminders for each due date — penalties accrue from the missed due date, not year-end.
📊
Seasonal income? Use the annualization method (Schedule AI) to match payments to when income was actually earned.
💰
Withhold more from W-2 — extra withholding applies equally to all four quarters, unlike estimated payments.