Estimated Tax Calculator
Calculate your quarterly estimated tax payments for 2026. Enter all income sources and withholding to see your remaining tax liability, quarterly payment amounts, due dates, and whether you meet safe harbor requirements.
2026 Expected Income
Withholding & Prior Year
Filing Information
Quarterly Estimated Payments
| Quarter | Income Period | Due Date | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2026 | $4,052 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 16, 2026 | $4,052 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 15, 2026 | $4,052 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2027 | $4,052 |
| Total | $16,209 |
Tax Breakdown
How Estimated Tax Payments Work
If you have income that isn't subject to withholding — self-employment, investments, rental income, or retirement distributions — you generally must make quarterly estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES. Failing to pay enough throughout the year can result in underpayment penalties.
2026 Due Dates
- Q1: April 15, 2026
- Q2: June 16, 2026
- Q3: September 15, 2026
- Q4: January 15, 2027
Safe Harbor Rules
You can avoid underpayment penalties by paying at least one of:
- 100% of prior-year tax (110% if prior-year AGI exceeded $150,000, or $75,000 if MFS)
- 90% of current-year tax
The safe harbor applies to total payments: estimated tax payments + W-2 withholding + any other credits. If your total payments meet either threshold, no penalty applies regardless of the remaining balance due.
When estimated payments aren't required:If you expect to owe less than $1,000 after subtracting withholding and credits, you generally don't need to make estimated payments.
State estimated taxes: Most states with an income tax also require quarterly estimated payments following similar rules, though thresholds and due dates may differ.