StashlyFreelancer tax guide
Quarterly estimated taxes for freelancers
When you're a freelancer, no employer withholds taxes from your pay — so the IRS asks you to pay as you go, four times a year. Here's who has to, the 2026 dates, and how to stay penalty-free.
The short version
If you expect to owe $1,000+ in federal tax this year, you're generally expected to make quarterly estimated payments. For 2026 they're due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15, 2027. Pay at least 90% of this year's tax (or 100% of last year's) and you avoid the underpayment penalty.
Why freelancers owe these (and employees don't)
At a regular job, your employer withholds income and payroll taxes from every paycheck and sends them to the IRS for you. As a freelancer, nobody does that — so the government has you prepay your own taxes in four installments across the year instead of one big bill in April. It's the same total tax; you're just paying it as you earn.
Do you actually have to pay them?
You're generally required to make estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year after subtracting any withholding and credits. Most full-time freelancers and 1099 contractors clear that bar easily. You may not need to if freelancing is a small side gig and a W-2 job already withholds enough to cover it — but if in doubt, assume you do.
The 2026 quarterly deadlines
| Quarter | Income period it covers | Payment due |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31, 2026 | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 |
Notice the "quarters" aren't even. Q2 covers only two months (April–May) but is due just two months after Q1. It trips people up every year — mark all four dates now.
If a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it shifts to the next business day.
How much should each payment be?
The simplest approach: set aside 25–30% of your net profit as you earn it, then send roughly a quarter of your annual estimate each deadline. For a deeper walkthrough of the percentage, see how much to set aside for taxes. The IRS worksheet in Form 1040-ES can also calculate it, and when you're ready to actually send the money, here's how to pay quarterly taxes.
The safe harbor: how to guarantee no penalty
You don't have to predict your income perfectly. You avoid the underpayment penalty if you pay, through the year, at least:
90% of the tax you'll owe for this year, or 100% of the total tax you owed last year (whichever is smaller). If your income is higher (adjusted gross income over $150,000), that second number is 110% of last year's tax.
Paying based on last year's tax is the easy button: you already know that number, so you can just split it into four equal payments and know you're safe.
What if you miss one?
Missing a payment — or underpaying — can mean an IRS underpayment penalty plus interest, even if you pay the full amount in April. If you realize you're behind, pay as soon as you can to stop the interest from growing; a late-but-paid installment beats an unpaid one.
Never get surprised by a deadline again.
Stashly shows exactly how much to set aside and splits it across all four U.S. quarters, with the due dates built in — so each payment is already funded when it's due. Works in Excel & Google Sheets.
Get Stashly — $14Frequently asked
Don't forget your state.
Most states with an income tax have their own quarterly estimated payments, usually on a similar schedule. Check your state's tax site so you don't cover federal and forget state.
Can I just pay it all in Q4?
Not really — the IRS expects payment in the quarter you earned the income, so front-loading everything into January can still trigger a penalty for the earlier quarters.
Stashly is a self-help planning tool, not a CPA, accountant, or tax advisor, and does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Rules and thresholds depend on your situation and can change. Always confirm your actual obligations with a qualified tax professional.