Quick answer: The 2026 quarterly tax deadlines for self-employed people are April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Each payment covers income earned in the period before it.
Stay ahead of the IRS with this quick guide to 2026 quarterly due dates, and grab the free reminder calendar so you never miss one.
🗓 The 2026 dates
- Q1: April 15, 2026 (income earned January 1 – March 31)
- Q2: June 15, 2026 (income earned April 1 – May 31)
- Q3: September 15, 2026 (income earned June 1 – August 31)
- Q4: January 15, 2027 (income earned September 1 – December 31)
When a due date lands on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day.
Never miss a 2026 tax deadlineFree calendar with every date, plus reminders in Google Calendar.
Get it free🤔 Who needs to pay?
If you’re self-employed, freelance, or earn income with no tax withheld, and you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, you generally need to make quarterly estimated payments. Many states require them too.
💰 Three quick ways to size your payment
- Prior-year method: Divide last year’s total tax by four. Paying 100% of last year’s tax (110% if your AGI was over $150,000) generally protects you from penalties.
- Percentage method: Set aside 25–30% of each payment you receive, then pay what’s in your tax account each quarter.
- Annualized method: If your income is seasonal, match payments to when you actually earn it using the annualized installment method on Form 2210.
📲 How to pay
IRS Direct Pay and your IRS Online Account are both free from your bank account. Save each confirmation number in your tax folder.
📥 Free reminder calendar
The free 2026 tax deadlines calendar adds every quarterly date to Google Calendar with alerts a week before and on the day. Find it in the Freebies section of the shop.
✅ Your quarterly checklist
- Update your books through the end of the period
- Calculate profit year-to-date
- Decide your payment amount
- Pay federal (and state, if required)
- Save the confirmation
Want the full picture? Read Estimated Tax Deadlines 2026 for safe-harbor rules and penalties.
Frequently asked questions
April 15, June 15, and September 15, 2026, plus January 15, 2027 for the final quarter.
The payment is due the next business day.
You can pay early, but paying everything in January can still trigger penalties for earlier quarters. Paying evenly by each due date is safest.
This article is for educational purposes only and isn’t tax or legal advice. Figures reflect IRS guidance for 2026; check with a qualified tax professional about your situation.
