The IRS requires self-employed workers to pay estimated taxes four times per year. Missing deadlines triggers underpayment penalties — currently around 8% annualized on the shortfall.
2024 Estimated Tax Due Dates
| Quarter | Period Covered | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2024 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 17, 2024 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 16, 2024 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2025 |
2025 Estimated Tax Due Dates
| Quarter | Period Covered | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2025 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 16, 2025 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 15, 2025 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2026 |
Safe Harbor Rules
You avoid underpayment penalties if you pay: - Option A: 90% of your current-year tax liability, OR - Option B: 100% of your prior-year tax liability (110% if AGI > $150,000)
Option B (prior-year safe harbor) is popular with variable-income freelancers: pay what you owed last year in four equal installments. No need to forecast current-year income precisely.
How to Pay
Pay at IRS Direct Pay (free, no registration) or EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System). Most states have their own estimated tax requirements with similar deadlines — check your state revenue department's website.
Estimate your payment at the Freelance Tax Estimator.