Estimated Quarterly Taxes: What You Owe and When
The April 15 deadline is less than six weeks away, and for millions of Americans, it is not just about filing last year's return. If you are self-employed, freelancing, running a side business, or sitting on investment gains, April 15 is also the due date for your first quarterly estimated tax payment of 2026. Miss it, and the IRS will charge you interest — currently around 7 percent annually. The gig economy has exploded over the past several years. Ride-share drivers, freelance designers, independent consultants, and content creators have all joined the ranks of workers who do not have an employer withholding taxes from every paycheck. Meanwhile, investors who locked in capital gains during the 2024-2025 market rally may owe more than they expect. The common thread: if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal income tax beyond what is withheld, the IRS expects you to pay as you earn — not once a year in April. This guide lays out exactly who needs to pay, when each deadline falls, how to calculate your obligation, and what happens if you come up short. No jargon, no hand-wringing — just the practical steps to keep you on the right side of the tax code.