Quarterly Estimated Taxes, Made Simple
If you are self-employed, freelance, or drive for an app, no one withholds taxes from your pay. The IRS expects four estimated payments a year. Here is how they work for 2026, and how we take the guesswork out.
When 2026 estimated payments are due
Dates that fall on a weekend or federal holiday move to the next business day.
How much should you set aside?
Set aside 25 to 30 percent of your net profit as a safe starting point. The self-employed pay two taxes on that profit: regular income tax, plus the 15.3 percent self-employment tax (12.4 percent for Social Security and 2.9 percent for Medicare). The good news is that real deductions, like the standard mileage rate of 72.5 cents per business mile in 2026, lower the profit those taxes are based on. Clean records can shrink every quarterly payment.
How to avoid the penalty
The IRS uses a safe-harbor rule. You generally avoid an underpayment penalty if your payments cover at least 90 percent of this year's tax, or 100 percent of last year's tax (110 percent if your prior-year income topped $150,000). Hitting one of those targets matters more than getting the estimate perfect, so we set the target with you instead of leaving you to guess.
How to pay
Pay free and online with IRS Direct Pay straight from your bank account, enroll in EFTPS, or mail a check with Form 1040-ES. Keep a record of each payment so it is credited correctly when your return is filed. If you would rather not manage it alone, we hand you the exact amounts and dates.
How Zero Fuss Taxes helps
We calculate your quarterly numbers from your actual income and deductions, not a generic guess, and an experienced, IRS-registered preparer reviews the plan. When you are ready to file, your self-employed return is prepared and reviewed by a real person, with clear, upfront pricing that is never based on your refund. New to this? Start the guided intake and we will help you set up your first payments. Track your miles between now and then with our rideshare mileage guide.
A real preparer vs. doing it yourself
Software is fast. A person is accountable. With us you get both.
| What matters | Doing it yourself | Zero Fuss Taxes |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | You do, alone | An experienced preparer does it, then reviews it |
| Finding every deduction | Only what you know to enter | We look across your whole situation for credits you may miss |
| Someone to answer questions | Help articles and chatbots | A real person you can call or text |
| If the IRS sends a letter | You handle it yourself | We review the notice and tell you the next step |
| How pricing works | Upsells appear as you go | One clear quote before any work begins |
| Who is accountable | You are. You signed it | An IRS-registered preparer signs and stands behind it |
Our promises to you, in writing
The assurances big-box software and storefront chains rarely put in writing.
Accuracy you can count on
A real preparer reviews and double-checks every return before it is filed. If we make a preparation error, we help you fix it and resolve any resulting IRS notice.
Every dollar you are owed
We look across your whole situation for the credits and deductions you qualify for, so you keep what is rightfully yours.
Honest, upfront pricing
You get a clear quote before any work begins. We never base our fee on the size of your refund, and there are no surprise add-ons.
A real, named preparer
Not a faceless app. An IRS-registered preparer personally prepares your return, signs it, and stands behind it.
Your data stays protected
Documents move through secure, encrypted upload, never casual text or email. We never sell your information.
Updates at every step
You always know where your return stands, with a status update at each stage from intake to filed.
Quarterly tax questions
When are 2026 quarterly taxes due?
For tax year 2026, federal estimated payments are due April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. If a due date lands on a weekend or holiday it shifts to the next business day.
How much should I set aside for taxes?
A common rule of thumb is 25 to 30 percent of your net profit, because the self-employed owe both income tax and the 15.3 percent self-employment tax. The right number depends on your bracket, deductions, and any other income, so we calculate it from your real figures.
How do I avoid the underpayment penalty?
The IRS generally will not penalize you if your payments cover at least 90 percent of this year's tax or 100 percent of last year's tax, which is 110 percent if your prior-year income was over $150,000. We can set those safe-harbor targets for you.
How do I actually pay?
You can pay free online with IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS, or by mail with Form 1040-ES. We will show you exactly how much to send and how to schedule each payment.
What if I already missed a payment?
Send the next payment as soon as you can to limit any penalty, then talk with us. A real preparer can look at your year and help you get back on a safe-harbor track.
General information, not tax advice for your specific situation. A human preparer reviews your facts before any return is filed.