Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator for 1099 Contractors
Calculate your quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties. Enter your expected annual income and deductions to see how much you should pay each quarter.
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Use our calculator to find all your deductions
Your Quarterly Payments
Pay Each Quarter
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Q1 (Apr 15)
$0
Q2 (Jun 15)
$0
Q3 (Sep 15)
$0
Q4 (Jan 15)
$0
How Quarterly Estimated Taxes Work
As a 1099 contractor, taxes aren't withheld from your income like they are for W-2 employees. Instead, you're required to pay estimated taxes quarterly to avoid underpayment penalties.
Who Must Pay Quarterly?
You generally must make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the year, after subtracting withholding and credits.
Payment Due Dates
- Q1: April 15 (for income Jan-Mar)
- Q2: June 15 (for income Apr-May)
- Q3: September 15 (for income Jun-Aug)
- Q4: January 15 of next year (for income Sep-Dec)
How to Pay
- IRS Direct Pay: Free online payment at irs.gov
- EFTPS: Electronic Federal Tax Payment System
- Mail: Send check with Form 1040-ES voucher
Safe Harbor Rules
To avoid penalties, you can either pay 90% of your current year tax liability OR 100% of your prior year tax liability (110% if your AGI was over $150,000). The safe harbor approach is often easier—just base payments on last year's tax.
Maximize Your Deductions
The more deductions you claim, the lower your quarterly payments. Use our full calculator to find every deduction you're entitled to.
Calculate All Your Deductions