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Estimated tax calculator for the self-employed
If you're self-employed, you generally owe 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of your net profit, plus federal and state income tax, paid in four estimates due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15. Enter your numbers below for a rough 2026 estimate and the payments still due. It runs in your browser, and nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimated tax calculator
Refine your payments (optional)
$17,800
Estimated 2026 self-employment and federal income tax on $85,000 of profit
| Self-employment tax | $12,010 |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $5,790 |
| State income taxChoose your state to see whether it taxes self-employment income. | Not included |
| Total estimated tax | $17,800 |
Your federal payment plan
| Due date | Amount |
|---|---|
| Apr 15, 2026 | $4,450 |
| Jun 15, 2026 | $4,450 |
| Sep 15, 2026 | $4,450 |
| Jan 15, 2027 | $4,450 |
| Still to pay in estimates | $17,800 |
Federal only. States that tax income set their own schedules.
Payments cover 100% of this year's federal estimate. Add last year's tax under "Refine your payments" to see the safe-harbor minimum.
Want your actual number, not a rough guess?
Numeris Ledger builds your estimate from your real income and expenses and updates it as you earn. On Plus, our CPA reviews your books every month.
Questions first? Contact us.
This calculator is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the inputs you enter, and we don't guarantee their accuracy; consult our CPA for guidance specific to your situation.
Which months does each estimated payment cover?
Estimated tax periods are not equal calendar quarters. This is the standard schedule for individual filers.
| Payment | Income it covers | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| 1st payment | January 1 – March 31 | April 15 |
| 2nd payment | April 1 – May 31 | June 15 |
| 3rd payment | June 1 – August 31 | September 15 |
| 4th payment | September 1 – December 31 | January 15 of the following year |
When a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, a payment made by the next business day is on time. Most states that tax income also expect estimated payments, on their own schedule.
Estimated tax rules to know
- If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, you generally pay estimated tax in four installments, due around April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15. IRS: Estimated taxes
- You generally avoid the underpayment penalty if your withholding and on-time estimated payments cover at least 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's tax (110% if last year's adjusted gross income was over $150,000, or over $75,000 if married filing separately). IRS: Underpayment of estimated tax
- Self-employment tax is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare) and applies once your net earnings from self-employment reach $400 for the year. IRS: Self-employment tax
Frequently asked questions
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
15.3% of 92.35% of your net self-employment profit: 12.4% for Social Security on earnings up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500 (including any W-2 wages), plus 2.9% for Medicare with no cap. An extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies above $200,000 for single and head of household filers, $250,000 for married couples filing jointly, or $125,000 if married filing separately. The free calculator on this page applies all three.
How much tax would I owe on $85,000 of self-employment income?
About $17,800 in federal self-employment and income tax for a single filer with no other income, roughly 21% of profit, before any state tax. That uses the 2026 standard deduction and the qualified business income deduction. Your number depends on your filing status, state and other income, so run your own numbers in the calculator. Numeris Ledger keeps that figure current from your real transactions, so you set aside the right amount as you earn.
How much do I need to pay to avoid an underpayment penalty?
Generally the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax, paid on time through withholding and estimated payments. If last year's adjusted gross income was over $150,000 ($75,000 if married filing separately), use 110% of last year's tax. You also generally owe no penalty if you owe less than $1,000 after withholding and credits. Add last year's tax in the calculator on this page to see your amount.
What if I missed an earlier estimated payment?
Pay as soon as you can. The calculator on this page puts the full catch-up amount on your next due date. The IRS may still charge an underpayment penalty for the period you were short, based on how much was missing and for how long, so paying sooner keeps it smaller. Our CPA can help you work out what you owe.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due for 2026?
April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027. The payments cover income earned January to March, April to May, June to August, and September to December. When a due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, a payment made by the next business day is on time.
Does the calculator include state income tax?
Only for states with no tax on wage income, which show $0. For other states the calculator shows "Not included", because state rates, deductions and payment schedules vary. Numeris Ledger estimates state income tax alongside federal and self-employment tax from your actual books.
Is the estimated tax calculator result my actual tax bill?
No. It is a rough estimate from a few inputs, and its accuracy isn't guaranteed. It leaves out other taxable income, such as interest, dividends or investment gains, which could raise your tax. It also leaves out personalized deductions and credits, which could lower it. For an estimate built from your actual income and expenses, sign up for Numeris Ledger, where the Plus plan adds a monthly review of your books by our CPA, or book a free consultation with our CPA.
Does the estimated tax calculator save what I type?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. What you type is not saved, not added to the page address, not sent to our servers and not included in analytics. Close or reload the page and it is gone.
Keep your estimate current
Numeris Ledger is bookkeeping software that builds this estimate from your real transactions and updates it as you earn and spend, with federal, state and self-employment tax together.
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