2026 quarterly tax
deadlines.
Federal estimated tax due dates for self-employed Americans. All dates auto-adjusted for weekends and IRS-recognized holidays.
Now estimate what you owe each quarter.
Run the calculator →Federal + state + SE tax in 30 seconds. 50-state coverage.
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Why these dates?
The IRS expects tax on self-employment income to be paid as you earn it, not in one lump sum at filing.
The standard rule
Federal estimated taxes are due four times a year. The "quarters" aren't equal:
- Q1 covers income earned January 1 through March 31. Due April 15.
- Q2 covers April 1 through May 31 (only 2 months). Due June 15.
- Q3 covers June 1 through August 31. Due September 15.
- Q4 covers September 1 through December 31. Due January 15 of the next year.
The weekend / holiday rule
If a deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the due date moves to the next business day. The dates above are auto-calculated for the current tax year.
Penalty for missing
The IRS underpayment penalty equals the federal short-term rate + 3% — 7% in Q1 2026, 6% from Q2 onward. Skipping a quarter and paying late = real money. Full penalty article.
Safe harbor exception
If you pay 100% of last year's total tax (110% if AGI was over $150,000), you're penalty-protected even if you owe a lot at filing. Safe harbor rules explained.
Three ways to send your payment.
1. IRS Direct Pay (recommended — free)
Go to irs.gov/payments. Click "Pay Now with Direct Pay" → "Estimated Tax (1040-ES)." Bank transfer, free, immediate confirmation.
2. EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System)
Free. Requires registration but lets you schedule payments in advance. Useful if you want to set up auto-payments and never miss again.
3. Paper check (1040-ES voucher)
Print the IRS Form 1040-ES voucher, make a check payable to "United States Treasury," mail to the address on the voucher. Slowest, error-prone. Only if you have to.
State estimated taxes are separate — pay through your state's revenue agency portal. See state-specific instructions.
Don't know how much to pay?
Use our calculator to estimate your federal + state + SE tax for the year. We split it into quarterly amounts automatically.