Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator (Form 1040-ES)
Figure out exactly how much to pay each quarter to avoid underpayment penalties. Accounts for your W-2 withholding, side hustle income, self-employment tax, and state taxes.
Estimate Your Quarterly Payments
Federal tax already withheld from W-2 paychecks
Estimated Quarterly Payment
$2,286
Total annual estimated tax: $9,142 (after W-2 withholding)
2025 Quarterly Payment Schedule
Q1 (Jan-Mar)
January 1 – March 31
$2,286
Due: April 15, 2025
Q2 (Apr-May)
April 1 – May 31
$2,286
Due: June 16, 2025
Q3 (Jun-Aug)
June 1 – August 31
$2,286
Due: September 15, 2025
Q4 (Sep-Dec)
September 1 – December 31
$2,286
Due: January 15, 2026
How Your Payment Was Calculated
Safe Harbor Rules
To avoid underpayment penalties, you generally must pay at least:
- 90% of the tax shown on your current year return, OR
- 100% of the tax shown on your prior year return (110% if AGI exceeds $150,000)
If your income varies throughout the year, you can use the annualized income installment method (Form 2210, Schedule AI) to potentially reduce earlier quarter payments.
Why Side Hustlers Must Pay Quarterly
The U.S. tax system is pay-as-you-go. W-2 employees have taxes withheld from every paycheck, but self-employment income has no automatic withholding. The IRS expects you to pay taxes on this income throughout the year via quarterly estimated payments.
If you wait until April to pay all your taxes on side hustle income, you'll face underpayment penalties — essentially interest charged on what you should have paid each quarter.
2025 Quarterly Payment Due Dates
| Quarter | Income Period | Due Date | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2025 | 1040-ES |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – May 31 | June 16, 2025 | 1040-ES |
| Q3 | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 15, 2025 | 1040-ES |
| Q4 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2026 | 1040-ES |
Note: Q2 covers only 2 months while Q4 covers 4 months. If your income isn't evenly distributed, consider the annualized income method.
Tips for Managing Quarterly Payments
- Set aside 25-30% of every payment. Transfer a percentage of each side hustle payment to a separate savings account immediately.
- Increase W-2 withholding instead. If you have a day job, you can submit a new W-4 to increase withholding and skip quarterly payments entirely.
- Use EFTPS for automatic payments. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System lets you schedule payments in advance so you never miss a deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are quarterly estimated tax payments due?
For 2025, quarterly estimated tax payments are due April 15, June 16, September 15, and January 15 (2026). If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Do I have to pay quarterly taxes on my side hustle?
Yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes when you file your return. This applies to self-employment tax plus any income tax not covered by W-2 withholding.
What happens if I miss a quarterly payment?
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty calculated as interest on the amount you underpaid for each quarter. The penalty rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, applied for each day the payment is late.
How do I pay quarterly estimated taxes?
You can pay online at IRS.gov/payments using Direct Pay or EFTPS, by mailing a check with Form 1040-ES voucher, or through the IRS2Go mobile app. Most states have separate quarterly payment requirements.
What is the safe harbor rule for estimated taxes?
To avoid penalties, pay at least 90% of your current year tax liability OR 100% of last year's tax (110% if your AGI was over $150,000). Meeting either threshold protects you from penalties.
Can I adjust my quarterly payments throughout the year?
Yes. If your income changes, you can increase or decrease future quarterly payments. You don't have to pay the same amount each quarter. Use the annualized income installment method if your income is uneven.