When are quarterly estimated taxes due in 2026?
Estimated taxes are due four times a year. For 2026 the dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027 — and the periods between them are uneven. Here's the full schedule, who has to pay, and how to make sure a deadline never sneaks up on you.
- ✓Four dates: Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, 2026 and Jan 15, 2027.
- ✓Pay if you'll owe $1,000+ for the year after withholding.
- ✓A weekend or holiday date shifts to the next business day.
The four 2026 due dates
The IRS calls these quarters, but they don't divide the year evenly — the first covers three months and the others two to four. A payment is on time if it's submitted by the due date; if a date lands on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day.
| Quarter | Due date | Payment (on $80k) |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April 15, 2026 | $4,162 |
| Q2 | June 15, 2026 | $4,162 |
| Q3 | September 15, 2026 | $4,162 |
| Q4 | January 15, 2027 | $4,161 |
Who has to pay
Anyone who expects to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax for the year after withholding — most freelancers, contractors, and 1099 workers. If you also hold a W-2 job, extra withholding there counts as paid evenly across the year and can cover your freelance tax instead of quarterly payments.
What happens if you miss one
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty — interest on the shortfall from that due date until you pay, figured on Form 2210. It accrues daily, so paying late still beats not paying. Clearing the safe harbor across your four payments avoids it entirely.
How to never miss a date
Add the four dates to your calendar (the calculator exports them as a one-tap `.ics` file), and move your set-aside percentage into a separate account out of every payment you receive — so each quarter is already funded when the date arrives.
Frequently asked questions
April 15, 2026; June 15, 2026; September 15, 2026; and January 15, 2027. A weekend or holiday date shifts to the next business day.
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.