Quarterly estimated tax calculator

How this estimate works

This calculator follows the 2026 Form 1040-ES worksheet in plain steps. It starts with self-employment tax, takes the deduction for half of it, applies the standard deduction and the 2026 tax brackets, then adds your state tax. The total is split into four payments.

• Self-employment tax. 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of your net profit. Social Security stops at the $184,500 wage base, and your W-2 wages use that up first.
• Additional Medicare Tax. 0.9% on wages plus self-employment earnings above $200,000 ($250,000 if married filing jointly).
• Half of self-employment tax is deductible. It lowers your income for income tax, not your self-employment tax.
• State. New Jersey and New York use the 2026 rate schedules in their estimated tax instructions. For another state, enter a flat rate. New York City residents add the city tax.

Due dates for 2026 estimated payments

Federal, New Jersey and New York all use the same four dates: April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027. Estimated payments are generally required if you expect to owe $1,000 or more after withholding. New Jersey's threshold is $400 and New York's is $300. New Jersey: Jan. 15 payment not needed if the return is filed and paid in full by Feb. 15, 2027.

Safe harbor in one paragraph

You avoid the underpayment penalty if your withholding and estimated payments total at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax, whichever is smaller. The prior-year rule rises to 110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000 ($75,000 if married filing separately). The calculator shows both so you can pick.

What this estimate leaves out

• The qualified business income (QBI) deduction, which can lower your federal tax. Leaving it out makes the estimate higher, not lower.
• Itemized deductions, tax credits, and other adjustments such as retirement contributions or the self-employed health insurance deduction.
• Self-employment income of a spouse. Married couples should enter only their own profit and wages for self-employment tax, and add a spouse's other income in the other income box.
• New York figures are an estimate. This uses a simplified estimating schedule: the full return also adds an extra charge for higher incomes (the tax-benefit recapture).

Planning for 2027? The 2027 estimated payment dates are on the 2027 deadlines page. We will update this calculator when the 2027 figures are final.

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