Quarterly Tax Estimator
Estimate your quarterly estimated tax payments for 2025. Real federal & state brackets, self-employment tax, and deductions included.
+ Additional Deductions (optional)
📅 2025 Due Dates
Full Tax Breakdown
📊 Track expenses year-round to maximize deductions
Freelancers miss an average of $4,200 in deductions. Accounting software catches what you miss.
Try FreshBooks Free → or Try QuickBooks →How Quarterly Estimated Taxes Work for Freelancers
If you're self-employed, a freelancer, or an independent contractor, the IRS expects you to pay income tax and self-employment tax throughout the year — not just at tax time. These are called estimated tax payments, and they're due four times per year.
Who Needs to Pay Quarterly Taxes?
You generally need to make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year after subtracting withholding and credits. This applies to:
- Freelancers and independent contractors (1099 income)
- Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs
- Partners in partnerships
- S-corp shareholders with pass-through income
- Anyone with significant investment or rental income
What Taxes Are Included?
Your quarterly payment covers three types of tax:
- Federal income tax — Based on your taxable income and filing status, using 2025 brackets
- Self-employment tax — 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of net self-employment income
- State income tax — Varies by state; nine states have no income tax
How to Avoid Underpayment Penalties
The IRS charges penalties if you don't pay enough throughout the year. To stay safe, pay the lesser of:
- 90% of your current year's tax liability, or
- 100% of last year's tax liability (110% if AGI was over $150,000)
This calculator estimates based on your projected current-year income — the most common approach for freelancers.
Save More: Key Deductions for Self-Employed
- Half of self-employment tax — Automatically deducted (this calculator includes it)
- Health insurance premiums — Deductible if you're not eligible for employer coverage
- Retirement contributions — SEP IRA (up to 25% of net SE income), Solo 401(k), or SIMPLE IRA
- Home office — Simplified method: $5/sq ft, up to 300 sq ft ($1,500 max)
- Business expenses — Software, equipment, marketing, professional development, travel
- Mileage — 70¢/mile for 2025 (standard rate)
Free Freelance Financial Toolkit
Get tax checklists, rate-setting guides, and financial templates — delivered free.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are quarterly tax payments due in 2025?
Q1 (Jan–Mar): April 15, 2025. Q2 (Apr–May): June 16, 2025. Q3 (Jun–Aug): September 15, 2025. Q4 (Sep–Dec): January 15, 2026. If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day.
How much should I pay in quarterly taxes?
Pay enough to cover 100% of last year's tax liability or 90% of this year's expected liability (whichever is less). This calculator estimates based on your projected income for the current year.
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2025?
15.3% — broken down as 12.4% Social Security (on the first $176,100) and 2.9% Medicare. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to earnings above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
Can I deduct business expenses before calculating quarterly taxes?
Yes. Calculate self-employment tax on net self-employment income (gross minus deductible expenses). Include home office, equipment, software, mileage, health insurance, and retirement contributions.
What happens if I miss a quarterly tax payment?
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty (currently ~8% annualized). The penalty is calculated per quarter, so missing multiple payments compounds. Pay as soon as possible to minimize penalties.
Do I need to pay quarterly taxes in my state too?
Most states with an income tax require estimated payments if you'll owe more than a threshold amount (usually $200-$1,000). Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — have no income tax.
How do I actually make the payment?
Federal: Use IRS Direct Pay (free), EFTPS, or mail Form 1040-ES. State: Check your state's tax agency website for online payment options.