Your Income
$
$
$
Set Aside For Taxes
Total Estimated Tax Owed
$0
Set aside ~0% of each payment
—
Q1
Due Apr 15
—
Q2
Due Jun 15
—
Q3
Due Sep 15
—
Q4
Due Jan 15
Net profit (income - expenses)—
Self-employment tax (15.3%)—
Estimated federal income tax—
Total tax owed—
⚠️ Simplified federal estimate only — doesn't include state tax, QBI deduction, or other credits. Consult a tax professional or use IRS Form 1040-ES for official quarterly payment calculations.
Why Freelancers Owe More Than Expected
As a freelancer, you pay both the employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare tax — totaling 15.3% self-employment tax — on top of regular federal income tax. A W-2 employee's employer covers half of this automatically; freelancers pay the full amount themselves.
The IRS expects quarterly estimated payments throughout the year, not just one payment in April. Missing these can result in underpayment penalties even if you pay your full tax bill by the April deadline. A common rule of thumb is to set aside 25-30% of every payment you receive into a separate savings account specifically for taxes.
Deductions That Can Lower Your Tax Bill
- Home office deduction — if you have a dedicated workspace used exclusively for business, a portion of rent/mortgage, utilities, and internet may be deductible.
- Health insurance premiums — self-employed individuals can often deduct the full cost of health insurance premiums for themselves and dependents.
- Half of self-employment tax — the IRS allows you to deduct half of your SE tax from your taxable income, which this calculator already accounts for.
- Business equipment and software — computers, software subscriptions, and other tools used for your freelance work are generally deductible business expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't pay quarterly estimated taxes? ▼
The IRS can charge an underpayment penalty, calculated as a form of interest on the amount you should have paid each quarter, even if you ultimately pay your full tax bill by April. Generally, you can avoid this penalty by paying at least 90% of your current year's tax liability (or 100-110% of last year's) through estimated payments.
Do I need an LLC to deduct business expenses? ▼
No — sole proprietors (freelancers without a formal business entity) can still deduct legitimate business expenses on Schedule C of their tax return. An LLC offers liability protection benefits but isn't required to claim standard business deductions.
Should I set aside taxes from every payment or just at tax time? ▼
Setting aside a percentage from every single payment as it arrives is the safest approach, since income can be irregular and it's easy to spend money that's actually owed to the IRS if it's not separated immediately. A dedicated high-yield savings account specifically for tax money is a common strategy.