Estimated Taxes for Freelancers and the Self-Employed
How estimated quarterly taxes work for the self-employed: why they exist, the 2025 deadlines, the safe-harbor rule, and how much to set aside.
Last updated: 2026-07-23
A regular paycheck hides how taxes work: your employer withholds income and payroll taxes before you ever see the money. Go freelance and that safety net disappears. Now you're responsible for sending the IRS its share yourself, in quarterly installments called estimated taxes.
Why quarterly payments exist
The US tax system is pay-as-you-go — the government wants its money throughout the year, not in one lump each April. Employees satisfy this through withholding. The self-employed satisfy it by making estimated payments four times a year, covering both income tax and self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare).
The 2025 deadlines
- Q1 income (Jan–Mar): due April 15
- Q2 income (Apr–May): due June 15
- Q3 income (Jun–Aug): due September 15
- Q4 income (Sep–Dec): due January 15 of the next year
How much to pay — and the safe harbor
You can avoid an underpayment penalty by using the safe-harbor rule: pay at least 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's tax (110% if your income was high), whichever is smaller. Many freelancers simply set aside 25–30% of each payment they receive so the cash is ready when a deadline arrives.
Remember that self-employment tax alone is 15.3% on top of income tax, which is why the total bite is larger than many first-year freelancers expect. Estimate your quarterly payment with the calculators below.
This is general information, not tax advice — check your specific situation with a tax professional.