How to pay your estimated taxes
Once you know what you owe each quarter, paying it is the easy part — and it's free. Here are the three ways to pay the IRS, which to pick, and the small mistakes that cause a payment to be credited to the wrong place.
- ✓IRS Direct Pay (from a bank account) and EFTPS are both free and online.
- ✓You can also mail a check with a Form 1040-ES voucher.
- ✓Always tag the payment with the right tax year and quarter, and keep the confirmation.
IRS Direct Pay (easiest)
Go to IRS.gov/payments, choose Direct Pay, and pay straight from your checking or savings account with no fee and no account to create. Select "Estimated Tax" and the 2026 tax year. You get a confirmation number on the spot — save it.
EFTPS (best if you pay often)
The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System lets you schedule payments in advance and keeps a history of everything you've paid. It requires a one-time enrollment (they mail you a PIN), so set it up before a deadline rather than the day of.
By mail with Form 1040-ES
Prefer paper? Mail a check with the 1040-ES payment voucher for the quarter. Write your Social Security number and "2026 Form 1040-ES" on the check, and mail it early enough to be postmarked by the due date.
Mistakes to avoid
Tag every payment with the correct tax year and quarter, or it can be applied to the wrong period. Keep each confirmation number — it's your proof the payment was on time if a penalty notice ever shows up. And don't wait for a bill; the IRS doesn't invoice estimated taxes, it's on you to pay on the schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Use IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to pay online for free, or mail a check with a Form 1040-ES voucher. Tag each payment with the correct tax year and quarter and keep the confirmation number.
Related calculators & guides
A planning estimate, not tax advice. Figures use IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026). Confirm decisions with real money on the line with a CPA or enrolled agent.